Conservation and Management Measures (Advanced Search)

This Resolution shall apply to all fishing vessels on the IOTC Record of Fishing Vessels.

CPCs shall collect (including through logbooks and observer programs) and provide to the IOTC Secretariat no later than 30 June of the following year in accordance with Resolution 10/02 [superseded by Resolution 15/02] (or any subsequent revision), all data on their vessels’ interactions with marine turtles. The data shall include the level of logbook or observer coverage and an estimation of total mortality of marine turtles incidentally caught in their fisheries.

CPCs shall report to the Commission in the annual implementation report, in accordance with Article X of the IOTC Agreement, their progress of implementation of the FAO Guidelines and this Resolution.

CPCs with gillnet vessels that fish for species covered by the IOTC Agreement shall:

1. Require that operators of such vessels record all incidents involving marine turtles during fishing operations in their logbooks¹  and report such incidents to the appropriate authorities of the CPC.

CPCs with purse seine vessels that fish for species covered by the IOTC Agreement shall:

1. Ensure that operators of such vessels, while fishing in the IOTC area:
   1. To the extent practicable, avoid encirclement of marine turtles, and if a marine turtle is encircled or entangled, take practicable measures to safely release the turtle in accordance with the handling guidelines in the IOTC Marine Turtle Identification Cards;
   2. To the extent practicable, release all marine turtles observed entangled in fish aggregating devices (FADs) or other fishing gear;
   3. If a marine turtle is entangled in the net, stop net roll as soon as the turtle comes out of the water; disentangle the turtle without injuring it before resuming the net roll; and to the extent practicable, assist the recovery of the turtle before returning it to the water;
   4. Carry and employ dip nets, when appropriate, to handle marine turtles.
2. Encourage such vessels to adopt FAD designs that reduce the incidence of entanglement of marine turtles according to international standards;
3. Require that operators of such vessels record all incidents involving marine turtles during fishing operations in their logbooks³  and report such incidents to the appropriate authorities of the CPC.

The IOTC Scientific Committee shall request the IOTC Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch to:

1. Develop recommendations on appropriate mitigation measures for gillnet, longline and purse seine fisheries in the IOTC area;
2. Develop regional standards covering data collection, data exchange and training;
3. Develop improved FAD designs to reduce the incidence of entanglement of marine turtles, including the use of biodegradable materials.

The recommendations of the IOTC Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch shall be provided to the IOTC Scientific Committee for consideration at its annual session in 2012. In developing its recommendations, the IOTC Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch shall examine and take into account the information provided by CPCs in accordance with paragraph 10 of this measure, other research available on the effectiveness of various mitigation methods in the IOTC area, mitigation measures and guidelines adopted by other relevant organizations and, in particular, those of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The IOTC Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch will specifically consider the effects of circle hooks on target species catch rates, marine turtle mortalities and other bycatch species.

In researching new mitigation methods, consideration should be given to ensuring that methods do not cause greater harm than they prevent and do not adversely impact other species (particularly threatened species) and/or the environment.

The IOTC and IOSEA secretariats are encouraged to intensify their collaboration and exchange of information on marine turtle issues in accordance with the protocols agreed by the Commission.

The IOTC Scientific Committee shall annually review the information reported by CPCs pursuant to this measure and, as necessary, provide recommendations to the Commission on ways to strengthen efforts to reduce marine turtle interactions with IOTC fisheries.