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ISSF convenes a diverse group of stakeholders — NGOs, vessel owners, retailers, tuna processors and more — to make sustainability recommendations to tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs).

Here are recent advocacy letters that have resulted from that collaborative work.

ISSF 2023-08: Survey of RFMO Observer Programs and a Set of Best Practices*

Date Added: June 15, 2023
Authors: Holly Koehler
Downloaded: 114 times
Tags: Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Observer Coverage, Observer Programs, RFMOs, WCPFC
Language: English
Report Type: Technical Report

Description

Purse seine fisheries in all oceans are required to carry some level of human observer coverage in accordance with measures adopted by the relevant regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) for some or all of the year or in certain areas.

Existing observer programs vary in terms of program management, entrance requirements, training program structure and course content, and the function of the observer, among other areas.

This Technical Report surveys a number of national and/or regional or sub-regional programs in place and in use in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, and it develops a set of best practices for human observer programs for purse seine vessels.

See also our RFMO Best Practices Snapshot on observer requirements.