PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOuRTH INTERNaTIONal FISHERS FORum

some species is based on the objectives that mention that the
ecosystem should be considered in management measures.
Some actions that have been taken in the past are the following.
1. Dolphins: For many years the impact of the fishery
on the dolphin populations has been assessed, and
programs are applied to reduce or eliminate that impact,
which have had considerable success. Firstly under the
La Jolla Agreement and subsequently under the AIDCP,
regulations have been established for the following:
- the release and rescue of dolphins that are
associated with the tuna fishery and are captured
incidentally;
- the presence of scientific observers aboard tuna
purse-seine vessels;
- annual mortality levels, by vessels participating in
the fishery in a given year and by dolphin stock;
- regulations for the registration, evaluation and
training of fishing captains;
- review and evaluation of the performance of vessels
and their possible infractions;
- monitoring and verification of tuna caught under
the rules established by the AIDCP;
- certification of tuna caught in accordance with the
regulations established in the AIDCP that do not
involve any incidental mortality of dolphins.
The impact of these measures, and the implementation
of a program of work with the industry and the captains
and crews of purse-seine vessels, has resulted in greater
than 99% reduction in dolphin mortality in the fishery,
without affecting the productivity of the fishery.
2. Sea turtles: In 2000 the IATTC adopted its first
resolution that specifically mentioned sea turtles
(C-00-08), and in 2003 the first resolution dedicated
exclusively to these species. This resolution laid out, in
general terms, the development of a three-year program
that covered the reduction of bycatches, biological
research, improvements to fishing gear, education
of the industry, and other techniques to improve
the conservation of sea turtles. In January 2004, the
IATTC Working Group on Bycatch proposed a detailed
program that included all these elements, and urged
all nations with tuna-fishing vessels in the EPO to
provide to the IATTC information on interactions of the
fisheries with sea turtles, both incidental and direct, and
other impacts on sea turtles. In June 2004, the IATTC
adopted this program in Resolution C-04-07; it includes
provisions on data gathering, mitigation measures,
industry education, promoting research, and reporting.
Moreover, Resolution C-04-05 on bycatches also
contains provisions regarding sea turtles; among others,
it prohibits discarding bags and other plastic trash
at sea, and includes specific measures for sea turtles
caught in purse-seine nets. It also instructs the Director
to study and formulate recommendations regarding
modifications of the design of FADs to eliminate
entanglement of sea turtles.
In response to a request by one of the IATTC Parties,
a program was initiated to mitigate bycatches of sea
turtles, reduce the mortality of sea turtles caused
by coastal longline fisheries in North, Central, and
South America, and compare the catch rates of tunas,
billfishes, and dorado with “J” (conventional) and
circular hooks of two sizes. This program includes
the presence of observers aboard fishing vessels.
Also, procedures and tools for releasing hooked and
entangled sea turtles were disseminated among the
longline fleets of the region.
Observers have taken data on more than 1,000 fishing
trips by the vessels that are trying the various hooks.
The initial results indicate that, in the fisheries directed
towards tunas, billfishes and sharks, a significant
reduction occurred in the hooking rates of sea turtles
with circular hooks, and less hooks lodged in the
esophagus or other areas which presumably have a
high risk of mortality, compared to hookings in the
mouth. The catch rates of the target species are, in
general, similar to those of the J hooks. Also, members
of the IATTC staff and others led workshops and
made presentations in all the countries that participate
in the program.
3. Other species: Data have been collected on the spatial
distribution of bycatches and the proportions of
bycatches in relation to the total catches, for analyses of
management options for reducing bycatches.
4. Sharks, rays, billfishes, dorado, and other non-target
species: Resolution C-04-05 instructs the director to
seek funds for reducing the incidental mortality of
juvenile tunas; for techniques and/or equipment to
facilitate the release of billfishes, sharks and rays from
deck or from the net; and to carry out experiments
to estimate the survival rates of billfishes, sharks and
rays released. To date, the following actions have been
carried out:
a. Data on bycatches by large purse-seine vessels are
being collected, and governments are urged to
provide information on bycatches by other vessels;
b. Information has been collected to assess measures
for reducing bycatches, such as closures, effort
limits, etc.; and
c. Assessments of habitat preferences and the effect of
environmental changes have been carried out.
Institutional Frameworks to Produce Sustainable Artisanal Coastal Pelagic Fisheries
41