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Resolution 19/02 Procedures on a Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) Management Plan

PDF: 
PDF icon iotc_cmm_1902.pdf
Active & supersedes
Resolution 18/08 Procedures on a FADs management plan, including a limitation on the number of FADs, more detailed specs of catch reporting from FAD sets & the development of improved FAD designs to reduce entanglement of non target species
Year of adoption: 
2019
Date of application: 
2020-01-01
Applies to
Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC),

BEARING IN MIND that the Agreement for the implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (UNFSA) encourages coastal States and fishing States on the high seas to collect and share, in a timely manner, complete and accurate data concerning fishing activities on, inter alia, vessel position, catch of target and non-target species and fishing effort;

MINDFUL of the call upon States, either individually, collectively or through regional fisheries management organisations and arrangements in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 67/79 on Sustainable fisheries to collect the necessary data in order to evaluate and closely monitor the use of large-scale fish aggregating devices and others, as appropriate, and their effects on tuna resources and tuna behaviour and associated and dependent species, to improve management procedures to monitor the number, type and use of such devices and to mitigate possible negative effects on the ecosystem, including on juveniles and the incidental bycatch of non-target species, particularly sharks and marine turtles;

NOTING that the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing providesthat States should compile fishery-related and other supporting scientific data relating to fish stocks covered by sub-regional orregional fisheries management organisations and provide them in a timely manner to the organisation;

RECOGNISING that Fish Aggregating Devices under the competence of IOTC should be managed to ensure the sustainability of fishing operations;

GIVEN that the activities of supply vessels and the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) are an integral part of the fishing effort exerted by the purse seine fleet;

AWARE that the Commission is committed to adopt Conservation and Management Measures to reduce juvenile Bigeye tuna and Yellowfin tuna mortalities from fishing effort on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs);

RECALLING that Resolution 12/04 established that the Commission at its annual session in 2013 should consider the recommendations of the IOTC Scientific Committee as regards the development of improved FAD designs to reduce the incidence of entanglement of marine turtles, including the use of biodegradable materials, together with socio-economicconsiderations, with a view to adopting further measures to mitigate interactions with marine turtles in fisheries covered by the IOTC Agreement;

RECALLING that Resolution 13/08 [superseded by Resolution 15/08, by Resolution 17/08, by Resolution 18/08 and then by Resolution 19/02] established procedures on a fish aggregating device (FAD) management plan, including more detailed specifications of catch reporting from FAD sets, and the development of improved FAD designs to reduce the incidence of entanglement of non-target species;

NOTING that the IOTC Scientific Committee advised the Commission that only non-entangling FADs, both drifting and anchored, should be designed and deployed to prevent the entanglement of sharks, marine turtles and other species;

NOTING that the IOTC Scientific Committee advised the Commission to conduct an investigation of the feasibility and impacts of a temporary FAD closure as well as other measures in the context of Indian Ocean fisheries and stocks;

RECALLING that the objective of the IOTC Agreement is to ensure, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of stocks covered by the mentioned Agreement and encouraging sustainable development of fisheries based on such stocks and minimising the level of bycatch;

ADOPTS, in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, paragraph 1 of the IOTC Agreement, the following:

  1. Definitions

For the purpose of this Resolution:

    1. Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) means a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary object, structure or device of any material, man-made or natural, which is deployed and/or tracked, for the purpose of aggregating target tuna species for consequent capture.
    2. Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) means a FAD not tethered to the bottom of the ocean. A DFAD typically has a floating structure (such as a bamboo or metal raft with buoyancy provided by buoys, corks, etc.) and a submerged structure (made of old netting, canvass, ropes, etc.).
    3. Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (AFADs) means a FAD tethered to the bottom of the ocean. It usually consists of a very large buoy and anchored to the bottom of the ocean with a chain.
    4. Instrumented buoy means a buoy with a clearly marked with a unique reference number allowing identification of its owner and equipped with a satellite tracking system to monitor its position.
    5. Operational buoy means any instrumented buoy, previously activated, switched on and deployed at sea on a drifting FAD or log, which transmit position and any other available information such as eco-sounder estimates.
    6. Activation of a buoy means the act of initializing satellite communication service, which is done by the buoy supplier company at the request of the vessel owner or manager.
    7. Deactivation of a buoy means the act of cancelling satellite communications service, which is done by the buoy supplier company at the request of the vessel owner or manager.
    8. Buoy owner means any legal or natural person, entity or branch, who is paying for the communication service for the buoy associated with a FAD, and/or who is authorized to receive information from the satellite buoy, as well as to request its activation and/or deactivation.
    9. Reactivation: the act of re-enabling satellite communications services by the buoy supplier company at the request of the buoy owner or manager.
    10. Buoy in stock means an instrumented buoy acquired by the owner which has not been made operational.
  1. This Resolution shall apply to CPCs having purse seine vessels and fishing on Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs), equipped with instrumented buoys for the purpose of aggregating target tuna species, in the IOTC area of competence. Only purse seiners and associated supply or support vessels are allowed to deploy DFADs in the IOTC Area of Competence.
  2. This resolution requires the use of instrumented buoy, as per the above definition, on all DFADs and prohibits the use of any other buoys, such as radio buoys, not meeting this definition.
  3. This Resolution sets the maximum number of operational buoys followed by any purse seine vessel at 300 at any one time. The number of instrumented buoys that may be acquired annually for each purse seine vessel is set at no more than 500. No purse seine vessel shall have more than 500 instrumented buoys (buoy in stock and operational buoy) at any time. An instrumented buoy shall be made operational only when physically present on board the purse-seine vessel to which it belongs or its associated supply or support vessel, and the event shall be recorded in the appropriate logbook, specifying the instrumented buoy unique identification number and the date, time and geographical coordinates of its deployment.
  4. A CPC may adopt a lower limit than the one set out in paragraph 4 for vessels flying its flag. Further, any CPC may adopt a lower limit for DFADs deployed in its EEZ than that stated in paragraph 4. The CPC shall review the adopted limit to ensure that such limit is not more than the limit fixed by the Commission.
  5. CPCs shall ensure that as from the effective date of this Resolution, each of its purse seiners already in operation does not exceed the maximum number of operational and instrumented buoys at any one time as set out in paragraph 4.
  6. All purse seine vessel, supply or support vessel shall declare to its respective CPC, the number of instrumented buoys onboard, including each unique identifier of the instrumented buoy before and after each fishing trip.
  7. Reactivation of an instrumented buoy shall only be possible once it has been brought back to port, either by the vessel tracking the buoy/ associated supply or support vessel or by another vessel and has been authorized by the CPC.
  8. Notwithstanding the completion of any study undertaken at the request of the Commission including the study to be undertaken by the Working Group adopted at Resolution 15/09 in relation to FADs, the Commission may review the maximum number of instrumented buoys set out in paragraph 4.
  9. CPCs shall require vessels flying their flag and fishing on DFADs to annually submit the number of operational buoys followed by vessel, lost and transferred (total number of DFADs tagged at sea, by deploying an instrumented buoy on a log or another vessel DFAD already in the water) by 1° by 1° grid area and month strata and DFAD type under the confidentiality rules set by Resolution 12/02 (or any subsequent superseding Resolution).
  10. All CPCs shall ensure that all fishing vessels as referred to in paragraph 2 shall record fishing activities in association with FADs using the specific data elements found in Annex III (DFAD) and Annex IV (AFAD) in the section of the “FAD-logbook”.
  11. CPCs having vessels flying their flag and fishing on FADs shall submit, to the Commission, on an annual basis, Management Plans for the use of FADs. Due to their specificity in terms of users, type of boat/vessel involved, fishing method and gear used and materials used in their construction, the Management Plans and Reporting Requirements for Drifting FADs (DFAD) and Anchored FADs (AFAD) shall be addressed separately for the purposes of this Resolution. The Plans shall at a minimum follow the Guidelines for Preparation for FAD Management Plans by each CPC as provided for DFADs in Annex I and AFADs in Annex II.
  12. The Management Plans shall be analysed by the IOTC Compliance Committee.
  13. The Management Plans shall include initiatives or surveys to investigate, and to the extent possible minimise the capture of small bigeye tuna and yellowfin tuna and non-target species associated with fishing on FADs. Management Plans shall also include guidelines to prevent, to the extent possible, the loss or abandonment of FADs.
  14. In addition to the Management Plans, all CPCs shall ensure that all fishing vessels flying their flag and fishing on FADs, including supply vessels, shall record fishing activities in association with FADs using the specific data elements found in Annex III (DFAD) and Annex IV (AFAD).
  15. CPCs shall submit to the Commission, 60 days before the Annual Meeting, a report on the progress of the management plans of FADs, including, if necessary, reviews of the initially submitted Management Plans, and including reviews of the application of the principles set out in Annex III.

Non-entangling and biodegradable FADs

  1. To reduce the entanglement of sharks, marine turtles or any other species, CPCs shall require their flagged vessels to use non-entangling designs and materials in the construction of FADs as outlined in Annex V.
  2. To reduce the amount of synthetic marine debris, the use of natural or biodegradable materials in FAD construction should be promoted. CPCs shall encourage their flag vessels to use biodegradable FADs in accordance with the guidelines at Annex V with a view to transitioning to the use of biodegradable FADs, with the exception of materials used for the instrumented buoys, by their flag vessel from 1 January 2022. CPCs shall, from 1 January 2022, encourage their flag vessels to remove from the water, retain onboard and only dispose of in port, all traditional FADs encountered (e.g. those made of entangling materials or designs).The reference year prescribed above shall be reviewed in light of the Scientific Committee’s recommendation pursuant to Resolution 18/04 On BioFAD experimental project.
  3. CPCs are encouraged to conduct trials using biodegradable materials to facilitate the transition to the use of only biodegradable material for DFADS construction by their flagged vessels.The results of such trials shall be presented to the Scientific Committee who shall continue to review research results on the use of biodegradable material on FADs and shall provide specific recommendations to the Commission as appropriate.

FAD Marking

  1. A new marking scheme shall be developed by the ad-hoc FAD working group and shall be considered by the Commission at its regular annual session in 2020.
  2. Until the marking scheme referred to in paragraph 20 is adopted, CPCs shall ensure that the instrumented buoy attached to the DFAD contain a physical, unique reference number marking (ID provided by the manufacturer of the instrumented buoy) and the vessel unique IOTC registration number clearly visible.

Data reporting and analysis

  1. CPCs shall submit the data elements prescribed in Annex III and Annex IV to the Commission, consistent with the IOTC standards for the provision of catch and effort data, and these data shall be made available for analysis to the IOTC Scientific Committee on the aggregation level set by Resolution 15/02 (or any subsequent superseding Resolution), and under the confidentiality rules set by Resolution 12/02 (or any subsequent superseding Resolution).
  2. The IOTC Scientific Committee will analyse the information, when available, and provide scientific advice on additional FAD management options for consideration by the Commission, including recommendations on the number of FADs to be operated, the use of biodegradable materials in new and improved FADs design. When assessing the impact of FADs on the dynamic and distribution of targeted fish stocks and associated species and on the ecosystem, the IOTC Scientific Committee will, where relevant, use all available data on abandoned FADs (i.e. FADs without a beacon or which have drifted outside the fishing zone).

FAD Tracking and Recovery Procedures

  1. In order to support the monitoring of compliance with the limitation established in Paragraph 4, while protecting business confidential data, the instrumented buoy supplier company or the CPCs shall, starting 1 January 2020, report, or require their vessels to report, daily information on all active FADs to the Secretariat. Such information shall contain, date, instrumented buoy ID, assigned vessel and daily position, which shall be compiled at monthly intervals, to be submitted with a time delay of at least 60 days, but no longer than 90 days.
  2. The Commission shall establish a DFAD tracking and recovery policy at its annual session in 2021, on the basis of recommendations from the ad-hoc FAD working group. The policy shall define DFAD tracking, reporting of lost DFADs, arrangements to alert coastal States of derelict/lost DFADs at risk of beaching in near real-time, how and who recovers the DFADs, how the recovery costs are collected and shared.
  3. The IOTC Secretariat shall submit a report, on an annual basis, to the IOTC Compliance Committee on the level of compliance of each CPC with operational buoy limits, annual limits of instrumented buoys purchased.
  4. This resolution shall be reviewed by the Commission, at the latest, at its session in 2022, based on recommendations from the Scientific Committee.
  5. This resolution shall enter into force on 1 January 2020.
  6. Resolution 18/08 Procedures on a fish aggregating devices (FADs) management plan, including more detailed specification of catch reporting from FAD sets, and the development of improved FAD designs to reduce the incidence of entanglement of non-target species is superseded by this Resolution.
Appendices
ANNEX I GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF DRIFTING FISH AGGREGATING DEVICE (DFAD) MANAGEMENT PLANS

To support obligations in respect of the DFAD Management Plan (DFAD–MP) to be submitted to the IOTC Secretariat by CPCs with fleets fishing in the IOTC area of competence, associated to DFADs, DFAD–MP should include:
1. An objective
2. Scope
Description of its application with respect to:
- vessel-types and support and tender vessels
- DFAD numbers and DFADs beacon numbers to be deployed
- reporting procedures for DFAD deployment
- incidental bycatch reduction and utilisation policy
- consideration of interaction with other gear types
- plans for monitoring and retrieval of lost DFADs
- statement or policy on “DFAD ownership”
3. Institutional arrangements for management of the DFAD Management Plans:
- institutional responsibilities
- application processes for DFAD and /or DFAD beacons deployment approval
- obligations of vessel owners and masters in respect of DFAD and /or DFAD beacons deployment and use
- DFAD and/or DFADs beacons replacement policy
- reporting obligations
4. DFAD construction specifications and requirements:
- DFAD design characteristics (a description)
- DFAD markings and identifiers, including DFADs beacons
- lighting requirements
- radar reflectors
- visible distance
- radio buoys (requirement for serial numbers)
- satellite transceivers (requirement for serial numbers)
5. Applicable areas:
- Details of any closed areas or periods e.g. territorial waters, shipping lanes, proximity to artisanal fisheries, etc.
6. Applicable period for the DFAD–MP.
7. Means for monitoring and reviewing implementation of the DFAD–MP.
8. DFAD logbook template (data to be collected specified in Annex III).

ANNEX II GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF ANCHORED FISH AGGREGATING DEVICE (AFAD) MANAGEMENT PLANS

To support obligations in respect of the AFAD Management Plan (AFAD–MP) to be submitted to the IOTC Secretariat by CPCs with fleets fishing in the IOTC area of competence, associated to AFADs, AFAD– MP should include:
1. An objective
2. Scope:
Description of its application with respect to:
a) vessel types
b) AFAD numbers and/or AFADs beacons numbers to be deployed (per AFAD type)
c) reporting procedures for AFAD deployment
d) distances between AFADs
e) incidental bycatch reduction and utilisation policy
f) consideration of interaction with other gear types
g) the establishment of inventories of the AFADs deployed, detailing AFAD identifiers, characteristics and equipment of each AFAD as laid down in point 4 of the present Annex, coordinates of the AFAD's mooring sites, date of set, lost and reset
h) plans for monitoring and retrieval of lost AFADs
i) statement or policy on “AFAD ownership”
3. Institutional arrangements for management of the AFAD Management Plans:
a) institutional responsibilities
b) regulations applicable to the setting and use of AFADs
c) AFAD repairs, maintenance rules and replacement policy
d) data collection system
e) reporting obligations
4. AFAD construction specifications and requirements:
a) AFAD design characteristics (a description of both the floating structure and the underwater structure, with special emphasis on any netting materials used)
b) anchorage used for mooring
c) AFAD markings and identifiers, including AFAD beacons if any
d) lighting requirements if any
e) radar reflectors
f) visible distance
g) radio buoys if any (requirement for serial numbers)
h) satellite transceivers (requirement for serial numbers)
i) echo sounder
5. Applicable areas:
a) coordinates of mooring sites, if applicable
b) details of any closed areas e.g., shipping lanes, Marine Protected Areas, reserves etc.
6. Means for monitoring and reviewing implementation of the AFAD–MP.
7. AFAD logbook template (data to be collected specified in Annex IV).

ANNEX III DATA COLLECTION FOR DFADS

a) For each activity on a DFAD, whether followed by a set or not, each fishing, support and supply vessel to report the following information:
i. Vessel (name and registration number of the fishing, support or supply vessel)
ii. Position (as the geographic location of the event (Latitude and Longitude) in degrees and minutes)
iii. Date (as DD/MM/YYYY, day/month/year)
iv. DFAD identifier (DFAD or beacon ID)
v. DFAD type (drifting natural FAD, drifting artificial FAD),
vi. DFAD design characteristics
• Dimension and material of the floating part and of the underwater hanging structure
vii. Type of the activity, (visit deployment, hauling, retrieving, loss, intervention to service electronic equipment).

b) If the visit is followed by a set, the results of the set in terms of catch and bycatch, whether retained or discarded dead or alive. CPCs to report this data aggregated per vessel at 1*1 degree (where applicable) and monthly to the Secretariat

ANNEX IV DATA COLLECTION FOR AFADS

a) Any activity around an AFAD.
b) For each activity on an AFAD (repair, intervention consolidation, etc.), whether followed or not by a set or other fishing activities, the,
i. Position (as the geographic location of the event (Latitude and Longitude) in degrees and minutes)
ii. Date (as DD/MM/YYYY, day/month/year)
iii. AFAD identifier (i.e. AFAD Marking or beacon ID or any information allowing to identify the owner).

c) If the visit is followed by a set or other fishing activities, the results of the set in terms of catch and bycatch, whether retained or discarded dead or alive.

ANNEX V PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGN AND DEPLOYMENT OF FADS

EXAMPLE OF NON-ENTANGLING FAD

EXAMPLE OF NON-ENTANGLING FAD

  1. The surface structure of the FAD shall not be covered, or only covered with non-meshed material
  2. If a sub-surface component is used, it shall not be made from netting but from non-meshed materials such as ropes or canvas sheets.
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