Ministry of Fisheries, SFA disappointed over IOTC non-approval of resolutions |17 March 2021

PS Clarisse (left) and Mr Lucas during the press conference (Photo: Thomas Meriton)

Following Seychelles’ participation in a special session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) meeting held virtually from March 8 to March 12, 2021, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy has conveyed its disappointment over delays in approving proposed resolutions, seeking better management of yellowfin tuna stocks.

In a press conference yesterday morning, principal secretary Roy Clarisse, joined by chief fisheries officer at the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Vincent Lucas, noted four main proposals discussed during the meeting but which were not approved by the commission, all of which would apply to Seychelles, and help further efforts towards sustainable stocks of yellowfin tuna.

“It is regrettable, and we in Seychelles are really disappointed that none of the resolutions have been approved. It is really important that these resolutions are approved to ensure that the stock of yellowfin tuna and tuna stock, in general, remains sustainable. These resolutions are applicable for us and we have made an effort to reduce, as the regulations seek, our catch as asked under the resolution. There are however countries that have not done any reductions,” he said.

“Another sad happening during the session is what we call the unfairness or inequity on how these resolutions are applied, as most of the time we see that there is a specific gear that is targeted whereas other gears are not targeted. Most of the resolutions, the biggest sacrifices being asked is on purse seining and Seychelles mainly uses this form of fishing to catch tuna. However, we see that not enough effort is being made to ensure that gears that are much more destructive, such as gillnets, are well regulated,” Mr Clarisse asserted.

The main proposals focus on rebuilding the yellowfin tuna stock, with the Maldives and the European Union (EU) both tabling a proposition based on this, calling for amendments to the Resolution 19/01, on an interim plan for rebuilding the Indian Ocean yellowfin tuna stock in the IOTC are of competence. The proposal sought to reduce further the fishing limits on yellowfin tuna, apply the reduction to all fishing vessels fishing for yellowfin tuna and revise the percentage reduction per gear.

According to PS Clarisse, the Maldives proposed a reduction to reach 346,000 tonnes, while the EU proposed 380,000 tonnes. The scientific committee advised the commission that catch should be reduced to at least 403,000 tonnes, in consideration that 424,000 tonnes of yellowfin tuna caught in 2019, to allow for the sustainable rebuilding of stocks.

“In general, in the scientific committee report that came out last year we saw that countries, for which the resolution was applicable, have made an effort and in total have been able to reduce the catch by 9 percent. On the other hand, we have seen that the majority of IOTC members, for whom the resolution does not apply, have increased their catch by 5.2 percent which means that the effort made has been neutralised,” Mr Clarisse noted.

“Initially, the Maldives sought the purse seiners to reduce their catch by 35 percent, while the EU proposed that it be reduced to 20 percent. In the 19/01 which applies at the moment, purse seiners, their reduction is minus 15 percent, and I am happy to note that Seychelles has made that effort and information held by IOTC, public domain information shows that we have reduced our catch by 16 percent, even if the limit was 15 percent, so we are making our efforts towards the reduction,” PS Clarisse added.

Statistics held by the IOTC indicate that purse seiners across the five countries for which the 19/01 resolution applies, have reduced the catch of yellowfin tuna by 18 percent. On the other hand, countries to which the resolution does not apply increased their catch by 12 percent.

As for long-line fishing, the countries to which the resolution applies, have reduced their catch by 4 percent, while other countries have increased by 39 percent, representing a 14 percent increase in the sector. With regard to countries employing the gillnet method, Iran being a specific example, has increased its catch by 80 percent.

Overall, small coastal countries have reduced by 35 percent on gillnet fishing, and the Maldives reduced catch by employing other gears, by 11 percent, while other countries increased by 24 percent, reflecting an increment of 17 percent in the segment.

“In the meeting, that was one of the points we asserted strongly that we are willing to sacrifice, but it is important that other countries also put in the effort, because at the end of the day, the tuna does not remain in our waters or theirs, it is migratory and we all therefore need to join together,” he added.

The first proposal called for the establishment of a minimum conservation reference size for yellowfin tuna caught in the IOTC area of competence. This proposal was tabled by Sri Lanka, with a view of establishing a limit on the percentage of juvenile yellowfin tuna that can be caught per country, with the reference size at 92 cm. However, the proposal was met with doubts, raising debates as to practicability and the science on which the proposal is made, as a number of studies indicate the range between which yellowfin tuna mature is between 74cm to 154 cm. This proposal would also be conflicting with other resolutions, including 19/05 which prohibits purse seiners and vessels from discarding tuna suitable for human consumption.

Kenya and Sri Lanka also tabled a proposal for the amendment to the Resolution 19/02 on the Management of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the IOTC area, requesting a further reduction of the number of FADS in the purse seine fishery from 300 to 150, as well as the establishment of a closed period of FAD fishery; and reduction of supply vessels leading up to a proposed prohibition of use of such vessels.

In 2019, at an IOTC meeting in Hyderabad, India, Seychelles proposed a reduction in FADs from 325 at the time, to 250, but faced constraints as other countries were not willing to be flexible, and there was consensus to set the limit at 300. Seychelles is working with stakeholders to move towards drafting regulations ensuring that FADs are biodegradable, and mounted on land.

Despite not being approved by the commission, member states can table the resolutions before the commission in a future session to be held in June.

In moving forward, the Maldives and EU have agreed to merge propositions for the June meeting, although the final print is yet to be finalised as there is yet to be consensus as to the percentage of reduction applying to individual countries.

In putting forth the proposal, the two states have also agreed to a special cause for Seychelles, considering that the domestic economy is dependent on fisheries, and the downturn in the tourism industry. The exception will enable Seychelles to maintain a 16 percent reduction in catch of yellowfin tuna in the interim, even if resolution proposes 20 percent. The interim measure will stand until a stock assessment is conducted. It is possible that it will be conducted this year by the scientific committee of the commission, affirmed PS Clarisse, based on the committee’s previous report which suggested that the 2018 stock assessment was marred with uncertainties and errors, and is therefore problematic.

The meeting was held virtually and Seychelles was represented in the meeting by representatives of the department of Fisheries and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).

Laura Pillay