Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to discuss seabird bycatch and mitigation measures this month in the Maldives

The Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) will meet this month from the 24th to the 27th in Lankanfinolhu, North Malé Atoll, Republic of Maldives (click here for the draft agenda).

Discussions will include reviewing new information on the status of seabirds, new National Plans of Action for Reducing Incidental Catches of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, research on interactions between seabirds and tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean, identification sheets for observers, and reviewing previous IOTC Resolutions and Recommendations on seabirds.  The WPEB will then develop recommendations for the IOTC's Scientific Committee.

Documents to be discussed at the meeting include:

ACAP 2011.   Review of seabird bycatch mitigation measures for pelagic longline fisheries.  IOTC-2011-WPEB07-43.  14 pp.

ACAP 2011.  Summary best practice advice for reducing the impact of pelagic longline gear on seabirds.   IOTC-2011-WPEB07-44.  4 pp.

Løkkeborg, S. 2011.  Best practices to mitigate seabird bycatch in longline, trawl and gillnet fisheries - efficiency and practical applicability.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 435: 285-303.  IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF11.

Hsiang-Wen Huang 2011.  Bycatch of high sea longline fisheries and measures taken by Taiwan: actions and challenges.  Marine Policy 35: 712-720.  IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF12.

Ahi Enterprises 2011.  Smart Tuna Hook.  IOTC-2011-WPEB07-INF13.  4 pp.

It is expected that the ACAP Secreatariat will be represented at the meeting by its Technical Advisor, Barry Baker.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 8 October 2011

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