Our “snapshots” identify best practices that Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) should follow to manage tuna fisheries sustainably.

In detailed tables, the snapshots compare tuna RFMO progress in implementing the practices.

For a high-level comparison across the five RFMOs, see our Tuna RFMO Best Practice Performance “scorecard” below. We also publish companion “best-practices reports” on these topics and “RFMO progress” infographics.

ISSF 2021-05: Survey of Human Observer Programs for Purse Seine Vessels and a Set of Best Practices*

Date Added: April 21, 2021
Authors: Holly Koehler
Downloaded: 237 times
Tags: Best Practices, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, Observer Coverage, Observer Programs, Purse Seine, RFMOs, WCPFC
Language: English
Featured: False
Report Type: Technical Report

Description

Note: The information in this report is current for 2022. The RFMOs have not made changes to observer program requirements since the report was published in 2021.

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.