Regional Observer Scheme
1. In order to improve the collection of scientific data, Union fishing vessels of 24 metres in overall length and above, and those under 24 metres fishing outside the EEZ of a Member State, shall ensure that at least 5 % of the number of operations or sets for each gear type while fishing in the Area are covered by observers endorsed by the Regional Observer Scheme.
2. When purse seine vessels are carrying an observer as referred to in paragraph 1, that observer shall also monitor the catches at landing to identify the composition of bigeye tuna catches.
3. Paragraph 2 shall not apply to Member States that already have a sampling scheme the coverage of which fulfil requirements set out in paragraph 1.
Observers’ obligations
1. Observers on board Union fishing vessels shall:
(a)
record and report their fishing activities and verify positions of the vessel;
(b)
observe and estimate catches as far as possible with a view to identifying catch composition and monitoring discards, by-catches and size frequency;
(c)
record gear type, mesh size and attachments employed by the master;
(d)
collect information to enable the cross-checking of entries recorded in the logbooks (species composition and quantities, live and processed weight and location, where available); and
(e)
carry out scientific work as requested by the IOTC Scientific Committee.
2. The observer shall, within 30 days of completion of each trip, provide a report to the flag Member State. The report shall be provided by area of 1°latitude by 1°longitude. Member States shall send each report to the Commission, or to a body designated by it, within 140 days from reception, and shall ensure that the reports from the observer placed on the longline fleet are sent regularly throughout the year. The Commission, or the body designated by it, shall forward the reports to the IOTC Secretariat within 10 days of their receipt.
Field samplers
1. Field samplers shall monitor the number of landings by Union artisanal fishing vessels at the landing place. As regards artisanal fishing vessels, the samplers should cover at least 5 % of the total number of fishing trips by such vessels or of the total number of active fishing vessels.
2. Field samplers shall collect information on land during unloading of fishing vessels. Field sampling programmes can be used for quantifying catch, retained bycatch and collecting tag returns.
3. Field samplers shall monitor catches at the landing place with a view to estimating catch-at-size by type of boat, gear and species, or carry out such scientific work as requested by the IOTC Scientific Committee.
Member States obligations
1. Member States shall recruit qualified observers to place on board vessels flying their flag.
2. Member States shall:
(a)
take the necessary measures to ensure that observers are able to carry out their duties in a competent and safe manner;
(b)
ensure that observers alternate vessels between their assignments;
(c)
ensure that the vessel on which an observer is placed provides suitable food and lodging during the observer’s deployment of the same level as that of the officers on board, where possible;
(d)
ensure that the master of a vessel cooperates with observers in order for them to carry out their duties safely including providing access, as required, to the retained catch, and catch which is intended to be discarded; and
(e)
bear the cost of the observer scheme.
3. Member States shall report the number of vessels monitored and the coverage achieved by gear type to the Commission, in accordance with Article 51(6).
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
