The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), which met from 8 May to 12 May in Mauritius for its annual meeting, did not take a decision on the entry into force of a 72-day pause in the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs).
The February resolution had been suspended by the appeals lodged by France and the European Commission in particular.
“The resolution was passed in February against the advice of all States with tuna seiner fleets fishing with drifting FADs”, noted the Europêche organisation. The EU presented alternative measures including a closure based on scientific advice, but this idea was not accepted. Nevertheless, South Korea’s proposal to set up a FAD working group was accepted in order to evaluate possible new science-based management measures.
Among the good news, the IOTC adopted a resolution to limit catches of bigeye tuna.
However, other EU proposals were rejected, including the proposal to reduce catches of several species (a management plan covering yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna and bigeye tuna) and the proposal for a high seas boarding and inspection mechanism (a system rejected by China). The Maldives’ proposal on sharks, which would have obliged Japan to refrain from shark finning, was also rejected by IOTC.
Europêche regrets the unwillingness of several states to adopt catch limits for yellowfin and skipjack at levels that allow for sustainable exploitation of the stocks. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)