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"The Bycatch Mitigation Information System (BMIS) is a resource for fisheries managers, scientists, fishers and the general public.  It is provided by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), as a central repository of information on the mitigation and management of bycatch in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO).

In the context of the BMIS, "bycatch" mainly refers to those species of special interest, such as seabirds, sharks and marine turtles that are incidentally caught in WCPO fisheries targeting highly migratory species, including tuna and billfish.  Much of the information in the BMIS is relevant to bycatch mitigation in similar oceanic fisheries around the world.

Guided by the WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs), fisheries in the WCPFC Convention Area are required to "...minimise...catch of non-target species, both fish and non-fish species...and promote the development and use of selective, environmentally safe and cost-effective fishing gear and techniques" and to "protect biodiversity in the marine environment".

The purpose of publishing the BMIS on the WCPFC website is so that its content may be easily shared among WCPFC Cooperating Commission Members, cooperating non-members and participating territories (collectively known as CCMs), and other stakeholders.  This content will be continually updated.

Note that the inclusion of any particular reference on bycatch mitigation methods and management decisions does not imply endorsement by the WCPFC except where specifically noted, e.g. under "Decisions" and in the technical specifications for WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs)."

There are several sections to the BMIS.  These include: references (scientific and technical literature); technical mitigation methods; decisions by WCPFC and other management bodies; and a list of target and bycatch species.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 2 October 2011