Informe Anual de la Comisión Interamericana del Atún Tropical, 19

ANNUAL REPORT 1987
Panamanian fisheries personnel. The presence ofCommission scientists at this laboratory has made
it possible to provide assistance to local scientists in the implementation of research projects on
species other than tunas, e.g. snappers. Considerable progress has been made in the snapper
program; this subject is discussed in the section entitled Achotines laboratory.
FIELD STATIONS
The Commission maintains field offices in San Pedro, California, Manta, Ecuador, Ensenada,
Mexico, Panama, Republic of Panama, Coishco, Peru, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and Cumaná,
Venezuela. The scientists and technicians stationed at these offices col1ect landings statistics,
abstract the logbooks of tuna vessels to get catch and effort data, measure fish and col1ect other
biological data, and assist with the training and placement of scientific technicians aboard vessels
participating in the Commission's tuna-dolphin programo This work is carried out not only in the
above-named ports, but also in other ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru,
Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, which are visited periodically by these employees. Not all of these tasks
are performed by Commission employees in all the above-named countries, however; for example, in
1987 they participated in the tuna-dolphin work only in Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela.
In addition, the Commission maintains alaboratory at Achotines Bay,just west ofPunta Mala
on the Azuero Peninsula of Panama. The Achotines laboratory is used principal1y for studies of the
early life history oftunas. Such studies are ofgreat importance, as acquisition ofknowledge ofthe life
history oftunas prior to recruitment into the fishery would eliminate much ofthe uncertainty which
currently exists in the staffs assessments of the condition of the various stocks of tunas. The
Commission plans to enlarge the laboratory facilities so that there will be adequate space for
investigators from other agencies, such as Panama's Dirección General de Recursos Marinos, the
University of Panama, etc.
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
The prompt and complete publication of research results is one of the most important
elements of the Commission's program of scientific investigations. By this means the member
governments, the scientific community, and the public at large are currently informed of the
research findings of the IATTC staff. The publication of basic data, methods of analysis, and
conclusions afford the opportunity for critical review by other scientists, ensuring the soundness of
the conclusions reached by the IATTC staff, as well as enlisting the interest of other scientists in the
Commission's research. By the end of1987 the IATTC staffhad published 125 Bulletins, 36 Annual
Reports,5 Special Reports, 5books, and 309 chapters and articles in books and outside journals. The
publications by staffmembers received during 1987 are listed in Appendix 3 ofthis reporto
THE FISHERY IN 1987
During past years catch quotas for yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, for the Commission's
Yellowfin Regulatory Area (CYRA, Figure 1) have been recommended by the IATTC staff and
variously adopted in Commission resolutions and implemented by the countries participating in the
fishery. Quotas for 1966 through 1979 were adopted and implemented. At its 37th meeting, held in
October 1979, the Commission was unable to arrive at an agreement concerning a yel10wfin
conservation program for 1980; it subsequently agreed to a quota of 165,000 short tons, with
provisions to increase it at the discretion ofthe Director, but the quota was not implemented. At the
38th through 43nd meetings the IATTC staffrecommended quotas of160,000 tons for 1981 and 1982,
11