tenth meeting … · national research institute of far seas fisheries, fra . 5-7-1, orido,...

30
INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE TENTH MEETING San Diego, California (USA) 13-17 May 2019 DOCUMENT SAC-10 INF-A(g) Report of Japan's scientific observer program for tuna longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in 2018 calendar year Japan Fisheries Agency 1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan Summary In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013. This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2018 calendar year. In 2018 calendar year, 14 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area. Keywords Longline, Japan, Scientific observer, Tuna fisheries Introduction In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013. This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2018 calendar year. Training of the scientific observer In principal, all scientific observers attend a training class held by Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF) and Japan NUS (JANUS) under Japan’s observer program before their departure for the cruise. The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) provides an observer manual and supervises the training course. Under the course scientific observers are trained in skills necessary for conduct its part, including species identification, data recording protocols etc. Results i) Observer trip number, observed fishing operations and observer coverage In 2018 calendar year, 14 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels. Total number of observed fishing operations of 14 trips was 625 days. Information of the trips is shown in Table 1. The tentative observer coverage in this year was 7.5% by number of operations (625/8,348). ii) Catch records, including bycatch data Observers recorded every item taken on deck and identified the species by themselves. Observers also collected bycatch data. They took photo of bycatch species according to the procedures given in the observer manual made by NRIFSF scientists. Bycatch experts in NRIFSF identified species using these photos. The list of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in 2018 was shown in Table 2. In relation to paragraph 3 of Resolution C-11-10, six interactions of oceanic whitetip shark were recorded by observers in 2 trips (Table 2). Four whitetip sharks were dead discarded and others were released alive. In relation to paragraph 4 of Resolution C-15-04, three interactions of Mobulid ray were recorded by observers in 2 trips (Table 2). In relation to paragraph 4.a of Resolution C-04-05, three interactions of Sea Turtles were recorded by observers in 3 trips (Table 2), and all of them were released.

Upload: others

Post on 07-Jul-2020

1 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TENTH MEETING San Diego, California (USA)

13-17 May 2019

DOCUMENT SAC-10 INF-A(g)

Report of Japan's scientific observer program for tuna longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

in 2018 calendar year

Japan Fisheries Agency 1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan

National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA

5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan

Summary In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013. This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2018 calendar year. In 2018 calendar year, 14 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area.

Keywords

Longline, Japan, Scientific observer, Tuna fisheries Introduction

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013. This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2018 calendar year. Training of the scientific observer

In principal, all scientific observers attend a training class held by Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF) and Japan NUS (JANUS) under Japan’s observer program before their departure for the cruise. The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) provides an observer manual and supervises the training course. Under the course scientific observers are trained in skills necessary for conduct its part, including species identification, data recording protocols etc.

Results i) Observer trip number, observed fishing operations and observer coverage

In 2018 calendar year, 14 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels. Total number of observed fishing operations of 14 trips was 625 days. Information of the trips is shown in Table 1. The tentative observer coverage in this year was 7.5% by number of operations (625/8,348). ii) Catch records, including bycatch data

Observers recorded every item taken on deck and identified the species by themselves. Observers also collected bycatch data. They took photo of bycatch species according to the procedures given in the observer manual made by NRIFSF scientists. Bycatch experts in NRIFSF identified species using these photos.

The list of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in 2018 was shown in Table 2. In relation to paragraph 3 of Resolution C-11-10, six interactions of oceanic whitetip shark were recorded

by observers in 2 trips (Table 2). Four whitetip sharks were dead discarded and others were released alive. In relation to paragraph 4 of Resolution C-15-04, three interactions of Mobulid ray were recorded by

observers in 2 trips (Table 2). In relation to paragraph 4.a of Resolution C-04-05, three interactions of Sea Turtles were recorded by

observers in 3 trips (Table 2), and all of them were released.

Page 2: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

Table 1. Information on the trip of the scientific observer for Japanese tuna longline in the convention areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2018 calendar year.

Trip ID Range of latitude

Range of longitude

Start date of operation

End date of operation

Number of operations

Number of hooks

Trip 1 12.0-12.2S 122.0-122.2W 2018/1/1 2018/1/8 8 26,271 Trip 2 10.6-14.3S 98.8-112.4W 2018/1/1 2018/3/2 56 142,101 Trip 3 7.7-16.0S 119.5-126.5W 2018/1/2 2018/2/1 28 66,400 Trip 4 4.9N-10.4S 119.5-143.1W 2018/1/1 2018/2/10 31 81,480 Trip 5 5.3-9.2S 124.1-130.8W 2018/2/14 2018/4/11 52 131,116 Trip 6 7.3-12.0S 112.8-117.1W 2018/1/1 2018/1/22 20 49,572 Trip 7 17.3-22.0S 81.7-85.3W 2018/6/5 2018/7/28 52 154,020 Trip 8 7.1-18.1S 119.9-125.6W 2018/6/11 2018/8/16 61 180,630 Trip 9 3.0N-14.2S 129.5-149.0W 2018/7/22 2018/11/21 74 223,355 Trip10 13.1-16.0S 89.8-103.4W 2018/9/9 2018/11/12 61 163,530 Trip 11 1.7-16.0S 127.0-149.8W 2018/7/22 2018/11/21 69 193,045 Trip12 8.7-9.1S 111.9-112.6W 2018/11/22 2018/12/10 19 62,985 Trip13 9.1-15.0S 92.3-112.6W 2018/10/2 2018/12/28 80 194,616 Trip14 9.7-11.3S 113.7-115.8W 2018/12/18 2018/12/31 14 38,142

Total - - - - 625 1,707,263

Table 2. List of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in the Convention Area in 2018 calendar year (Unit: Number of individuals).

Trip

Species

Albacore 45 8 179 19 12 0 263

Yellowfin tuna 2 186 17 23 111 19 358

Bigeye tuna 95 498 168 217 499 150 1627

Skipjack tuna 1 10 5 2 12 10 40

Sailfish 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Black marlin 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

Blue marlin 4 17 15 4 24 0 64

Spearfishes 4 21 9 7 25 10 76

Striped marlin 0 22 5 9 5 12 53

Sword fish 85 130 112 133 191 86 737

Other teleosts 102 121 294 164 170 164 1015

Thresher sharks 0 80 3 49 16 4 152

Shortfin mako 0 2 0 1 2 0 5

Blue shark 10 229 105 46 153 32 575

Oceanic whitetip shark 0 0 0 2 4 0 6

Other Sharks 4 277 96 110 196 135 818

Sting ray 27 32 194 101 316 81 751

Mobulid Rays 0 1 0 0 0 2 3

Other Rays 0 0 2 0 3 0 5

Sea Birds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Turtles 0 1 0 0 1 1 3

Mammals 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 379 1635 1205 889 1740 707 6555

1 2 5 Total3 4 6

Page 3: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

Fig 1. Line setting locations of Japanese tuna longline for the trips with the scientific observer onboard in the convention areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2018 calendar year (Trip 1 to 6). Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate all scientific observers for their efforts in order to collect valuable data and samples on the Japanese longline vessels. We would also like to express special thanks to all crews of the longline vessels for their understanding and cooperation to the observer program.

Page 4: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

1

August, 2018

Report of Japan's scientific observer program for tuna longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

in 2017 calendar year

JAPAN

Japan Fisheries Agency

1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan

National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA

5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan

Summary

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2017 calendar year. In 2017 calendar year, 17

observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area.

Keywords

Longline, Japan, Scientific observer, Tuna fisheries

Introduction

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2017 calendar year.

Training of the scientific observer

In principal, all scientific observers attend a training class held by Overseas Fishery Cooperation

Foundation of Japan (OFCF) and Japan NUS (JANUS) under Japan’s observer program before their departure

for the cruise. The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) provides an observer manual

and supervises the training course. Under the course scientific observers are trained in skills necessary for

conduct its part, including species identification, data recording protocols etc.

Results

Page 5: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

2

i) Observer trip number, observed fishing operations and observer coverage

In 2017 calendar year, 17 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels. Total number

of observed fishing operations of the 17 trips was 920 sets. Information on the 17 trips are shown in Table 1.

The tentative observer coverage rate was calculated to be 8.6% (920/10,746).

ii) Catch records, including bycatch data

Observers recorded every items taken on deck and identified the species by themselves. Observers also

collected bycatch data. They took photo of bycatch species according to the procedures given in the observer

manual made by NRIFSF scientists. Bycatch experts in NRIFSF identified species using these photos.

Species information from Trips 1-5, 8-9 and 11-13 whose data have already been checked are available at

this stage. The list of species from these trips was shown in Table 2. In relation to paragraph 3 of Resolution

C-11-10, fifty-two interactions of oceanic whitetip shark were recorded by observers in 5 trips (Table 2).

Twenty-five whitetip sharks were dead discarded and others were released alive. In relation to paragraph 4 of

Resolution C-15-04, fifteen interactions of mobulid ray were recorded by observers in 4 trips (Table 2). In

relation to paragraph 4.a of Resolution C-04-05, eleven interactions of sea turtles were recorded by observers in

4 trips (Table 2), and all of them were released.

Page 6: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

3

Table 1. Information on the trip of the scientific observer for Japanese tuna longline in the convention

areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2017 calendar year.

Trip ID Range of

latitude

Range of

longitude

Start date of

operation

End date of

operation

Number of

operation

Number of

hooks

Trip 1 10.1-14.0S 105.9-111.9W 2017/1/1 2017/1/26 23 55,200

Trip 2 7.9-13.4S 107.2-111.6W 2017/1/1 2017/1/30 28 73,440

Trip 3 7.0-13.7S 106.7-117.8W 2017/2/4 2017/4/17 67 171,520

Trip 4 3.1N-8.8S 124.6-136.0W 2017/4/4 2017/5/24 46 122,310

Trip 5 14.3-18.0S 108.1-114.6W 2017/6/22 2017/9/1 69 166,800

Trip 6 5.8N-18.7S 112.7-137.8W 2017/7/12 2017/9/4 46 111,775

Trip 7 16.3-21.3S 79.3-86.2W 2017/6/26 2017/8/12 47 145,644

Trip 8 5.4-13.0S 110.6-134.4W 2017/7/28 2017/10/26 87 282,500

Trip 9 7.0-18.8S 117.9-123.3W 2017/7/26 2017/11/2 93 237,920

Trip 10 16.9-17.9S 86.3-87.1W 2017/8/25 2017/9/13 19 60,469

Trip 11 7.1-14.5S 116.2-130.3W 2017/9/1 2017/12/31 110 360,005

Trip 12 6.0-12.9S 114.1-122.5W 2017/10/13 2017/12/24 70 166,617

Trip 13 9.1-14.3S 102.5-111.3W 2017/10/8 2017/12/11 59 141,120

Trip 14 9.5-13.0S 110.5-112.6W 2017/12/3 2017/12/31 27 68,510

Trip 15 7.3-13.1S 112.7-123.2W 2017/10/5 2017/12/31 81 194,400

Trip 16 7.2-9.3S 120.2-123.9W 2017/12/15 2017/12/31 16 40,420

Trip 17 6.7-12.1S 107.9-118.1W 2017/11/26 2017/12/31 32 80,410

Total - - - - 920 2,479,060

Page 7: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

4

Table 2. List of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in the Convention Area in 2017

calendar year (Unit: Number of individuals).

Trip

Species

Albacore 10 33 33 90 1337 138 544 257 18 28 2488

Yellowfin tuna 32 36 60 204 223 317 439 150 130 293 1884

Bigeye tuna 168 232 566 557 621 822 775 1130 607 522 6000

Skipjack tuna 11 6 41 41 45 47 62 19 19 22 313

Sailfish 0 2 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 10

Black marlin 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 1 7

Blue marlin 7 12 26 39 3 25 16 26 28 24 206

Spearfishes 27 9 20 42 144 111 187 100 41 87 768

Striped marlin 3 5 12 5 25 15 27 19 35 33 179

Sword fish 24 120 129 127 154 145 261 468 281 86 1795

Other teleosts 63 281 363 270 1295 936 1195 2422 629 926 8380

Thresher sharks 0 23 96 32 11 96 63 40 12 71 444

Shortfin mako 0 3 1 4 5 9 25 12 5 10 74

Blue shark 26 101 305 78 90 127 270 246 236 135 1614

Oceanic whitetip shark 0 0 28 8 0 6 7 3 0 0 52

Other Sharks 20 410 375 231 81 417 576 387 509 329 3335

Sting ray 38 208 229 255 90 123 621 286 563 263 2676

Mobulid Rays 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 3 2 0 15

Other Rays 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Sea Birds 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 5

Sea Turtles 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 4 12

Mammals 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 0 10

Unidentified 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2

Total 430 1481 2288 1984 4134 3340 5078 5575 3126 2834 30270

Total3 41 2 5 8 9 11 12 13

Page 8: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

5

Fig 1. Line setting locations of Japanese tuna longline for the trips with the scientific observer onboard

in the convention areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2017 calendar year (Trip 1

to 13).

Page 9: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

6

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 10: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

7

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 11: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

8

Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate all scientific observers for their efforts in order to collect valuable data and samples

on the Japanese longline vessels. We would also like to express special thanks to all crews of the longline

vessels for their understanding and cooperation to the observer program.

Page 12: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

1

Report of Japan's scientific observer program for tuna longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

in 2017 calendar year

Japan Fisheries Agency

1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan

National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA

5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan

Summary

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2017 calendar year. In 2017 calendar year, 17

observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area.

Keywords

Longline, Japan, Scientific observer, Tuna fisheries

Introduction

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2017 calendar year.

Training of the scientific observer

In principal, all scientific observers attend a training class held by Overseas Fishery Cooperation

Foundation of Japan (OFCF) and Japan NUS (JANUS) under Japan’s observer program before their departure

for the cruise. The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) provides an observer manual

and supervises the training course. Under the course scientific observers are trained in skills necessary for

conduct its part, including species identification, data recording protocols etc.

Results

INTER-AMERICAN TROPI CAL TUNA COMMISSION

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

TENTH MEETING San Diego , California (USA)

13-17 May 201 9

DOCUMENT SAC-10 INF-A(h)

Page 13: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

2

i) Observer trip number, observed fishing operations and observer coverage

In 2017 calendar year, 17 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels. Total number

of observed fishing operations of the 17 trips was 920 sets. Information on the 17 trips are shown in Table 1.

The observer coverage rate was calculated to be 8.5% (920/10,852).

ii) Catch records, including bycatch data

Observers recorded every item taken on deck and identified the species by themselves. Observers also

collected bycatch data. They took photo of bycatch species according to the procedures given in the observer

manual made by NRIFSF scientists. Bycatch experts in NRIFSF identified species using these photos.

The list of species from these trips was shown in Table 2. In relation to paragraph 3 of Resolution C-11-10,

fifty-seven interactions of oceanic whitetip shark were recorded by observers in 8 trips (Table 2). Twenty-seven

whitetip sharks were dead discarded and others were released alive. In relation to paragraph 4 of Resolution

C-15-04, twenty-two interactions of mobulid ray were recorded by observers in 6 trips (Table 2). In relation to

paragraph 4.a of Resolution C-04-05, nineteen interactions of sea turtles were recorded by observers in 10 trips

(Table 2), and all of them were released.

Page 14: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

3

Table 1. Information on the trip of the scientific observer for Japanese tuna longline in the convention

areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2017 calendar year.

Trip ID Range of

latitude

Range of

longitude

Start date of

operation

End date of

operation

Number of

operations

Number of

hooks

Trip 1 10.1-14.0S 105.9-111.9W 2017/1/1 2017/1/26 23 55,200

Trip 2 7.9-13.4S 107.2-111.6W 2017/1/1 2017/1/30 28 73,440

Trip 3 7.0-13.7S 106.7-117.8W 2017/2/4 2017/4/17 67 171,520

Trip 4 3.1N-8.8S 124.6-136.0W 2017/4/4 2017/5/24 46 122,310

Trip 5 14.3-18.0S 108.1-114.6W 2017/6/22 2017/9/1 69 166,800

Trip 6 5.8N-18.7S 112.7-137.8W 2017/7/12 2017/9/4 46 111,775

Trip 7 16.3-21.3S 79.3-86.2W 2017/6/26 2017/8/12 47 145,644

Trip 8 5.4-13.0S 110.6-134.4W 2017/7/28 2017/10/26 87 282,500

Trip 9 7.0-18.8S 117.9-123.3W 2017/7/26 2017/11/2 93 237,920

Trip 10 16.9-17.9S 86.3-87.1W 2017/8/25 2017/9/13 19 60,469

Trip 11 7.1-14.5S 116.2-130.3W 2017/9/1 2017/12/31 110 360,005

Trip 12 6.0-12.9S 114.1-122.5W 2017/10/13 2017/12/24 70 166,617

Trip 13 9.1-14.3S 102.5-111.3W 2017/10/8 2017/12/11 59 141,120

Trip 14 9.5-13.0S 110.5-112.6W 2017/12/3 2017/12/31 27 68,510

Trip 15 7.3-13.1S 112.7-123.2W 2017/10/5 2017/12/31 81 194,400

Trip 16 7.2-9.3S 120.2-123.9W 2017/12/15 2017/12/31 16 40,420

Trip 17 6.7-12.1S 107.9-118.1W 2017/11/26 2017/12/31 32 80,410

Total - - - - 920 2,479,060

Page 15: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

4

Table 2. List of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in the Convention Area in 2017

calendar year (Unit: Number of individuals).

Trip

Species

Albacore 10 33 33 90 1337 586 1700 138 544

Yellowfin tuna 32 36 60 204 223 83 80 317 439

Bigeye tuna 168 232 566 557 621 564 629 822 775

Skipjack tuna 11 6 41 41 45 14 10 47 62

Sailfish 0 2 3 1 0 4 0 0 0

Black marlin 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0

Blue marlin 7 12 26 39 3 14 1 25 16

Spearfishes 27 9 20 42 144 69 2 111 187

Striped marlin 3 5 12 5 25 25 1 15 27

Sword fish 24 120 129 127 154 121 219 145 261

Other teleosts 63 281 363 270 1295 598 1425 936 1195

Thresher sharks 0 23 96 32 11 13 10 96 63

Shortfin mako 0 3 1 4 5 7 1 9 25

Blue shark 26 101 305 78 90 46 143 127 270

Oceanic whitetip shark 0 0 28 8 0 2 0 6 7

Other Sharks 20 410 375 231 81 30 78 417 576

Sting ray 38 208 229 255 90 14 76 123 621

Mobulid Rays 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6

Other Rays 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sea Birds 0 0 0 0 5 0 22 0 0

Sea Turtles 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 4

Mammals 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0

Unidentified 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

Total 430 1481 2288 1984 4134 2192 4400 3340 5078

Trip

Species

Albacore 368 257 18 28 2 44 0 0 5188

Yellowfin tuna 140 150 130 293 141 144 7 36 2515

Bigeye tuna 250 1130 607 522 268 621 114 230 8676

Skipjack tuna 0 19 19 22 2 10 1 13 363

Sailfish 0 1 3 0 1 0 0 0 15

Black marlin 0 2 2 1 0 1 0 1 10

Blue marlin 0 26 28 24 17 17 4 6 265

Spearfishes 0 100 41 87 28 53 2 27 949

Striped marlin 0 19 35 33 20 34 12 17 288

Sword fish 61 468 281 86 59 694 76 136 3161

Other teleosts 467 2422 629 926 109 851 103 318 12251

Thresher sharks 0 40 12 71 27 28 5 14 541

Shortfin mako 3 12 5 10 0 6 0 0 91

Blue shark 44 246 236 135 68 170 29 48 2162

Oceanic whitetip shark 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 1 57

Other Sharks 19 387 509 329 180 725 82 233 4682

Sting ray 14 286 563 263 41 627 105 104 3657

Mobulid Rays 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 6 22

Other Rays 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 1 10

Sea Birds 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31

Sea Turtles 0 2 0 4 1 3 0 1 19

Mammals 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 13

Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Total 1370 5575 3126 2834 965 4038 540 1193 44968

7 8 91 2 3 4 5 6

16 17 Total10 11 12 13 14 15

Page 16: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

5

Fig 1. Line setting locations of Japanese tuna longline for the trips with the scientific observer onboard

in the convention areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2017 calendar year

Page 17: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

6

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 18: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

7

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 19: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

8

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 20: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

9

Fig 1. Continued.

Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate all scientific observers for their efforts in order to collect valuable data and samples

on the Japanese longline vessels. We would also like to express special thanks to all crews of the longline

vessels for their understanding and cooperation to the observer program.

Page 21: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

1

Report of Japan's scientific observer program for tuna longline fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

in 2016 calendar year

JAPAN

Japan Fisheries Agency

1-2-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8111, Japan

National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA

5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan

Summary

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2016 calendar year. In 2016 calendar year, 13

observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels in the Convention Area.

Keywords

Longline, Japan, Scientific observer, Tuna fisheries

Introduction

In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan commenced its scientific observer program for longline

fishery in the convention area of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) from 1 January 2013.

This document provides the scientific observers’ information in 2016 calendar year.

Training of the scientific observer

In principal, all scientific observers attend a training class held by Overseas Fishery Cooperation

Foundation of Japan (OFCF) and Japan NUS (JANUS) under Japan’s observer program before their departure

INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

NINTH MEETINGLa Jolla, California (USA)

14-18 May 2017

DOCUMENT SAC-09 INF A(i )

Page 22: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

2

for the cruise. The National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (NRIFSF) provides an observer manual

and supervises the training course. Under the course scientific observers are trained in skills necessary for

conduct its part, including species identification, data recording protocols etc.

Results

i) Observer trip number, observed fishing operations and observer coverage

In 2016 calendar year, 13 observer trips were conducted on Japanese tuna longline vessels. Total number

of observed fishing operations of 13 trips was 831 sets. Information of the trips is shown in Table 1. The

observer coverage rate was calculated to be 7.18% by number of operations (831/11,572).

ii) Catch records, including bycatch data

Observers recorded every items taken on deck and identified the species by themselves. Observers also

collected bycatch data. They took photo of bycatch species according to the procedures given in the observer

manual made by NRIFSF scientists. Bycatch experts in NRIFSF identified species using these photos.

The list of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in 2016 was shown in Table 2. In

relation to paragraph 3 of Resolution C-11-10, sixteen interactions of oceanic whitetip shark were recorded by

observers in 7 trips (Table 2). Seven oceanic whitetip sharks were dead discarded and others were released alive.

In relation to paragraph 4 of Resolution C-15-04, eighteen interactions of Mobulid ray were recorded by

observers in 5 trips (Table 2). In relation to paragraph 4.a of Resolution C-04-05, sixty-seven interactions of

Sea turtles were recorded by observers in 6 trips (Table 2), and all of them were released.

Page 23: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

3

Table 1. Information on the trip of the scientific observer for Japanese tuna longline in the convention

areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2016 calendar year.

Trip ID Range of

latitude

Range of

longitude

Start date of

operation

End date of

operation

Number of

operation

Number of

hooks

Trip 1 14.4-14.7S 121.3-121.5W 2016/1/1 2016/1/3 3 8,010

Trip 2 6.3-13.9S 104.8-111.5W 2016/1/1 2016/2/29 54 149,974

Trip 3 6.3-15.8S 105.5-114.8W 2016/1/1 2016/4/22 94 236,976

Trip 4 9.1-30.5S 80.4-119.8W 2016/5/2 2016/11/8 157 408,027

Trip 5 4.9-12.8S 116.8-130.5W 2016/7/10 2016/10/30 107 344,466

Trip 6 7.0-11.8S 111.4-124.8W 2016/8/8 2016/10/19 68 161,840

Trip 7 11.3-19.6S 109.8-114.1W 2016/8/19 2016/10/20 61 158,389

Trip 8 9.5-15.1S 119.0-135.8W 2016/8/5 2016/11/3 78 202,800

Trip 9 11.5-14.3S 110.0-123.0W 2016/9/17 2016/10/16 26 62,080

Trip 10 18.4-18.9S 114.7-116.6W 2016/9/4 2016/9/21 18 45,832

Trip 11 12.0-13.4S 102.3-102.8W 2016/10/12 2016/10/24 13 33,150

Trip 12 9.7-13.5S 102.9-112.0W 2016/9/29 2016/12/31 82 194,500

Trip 13 9.8-13.4S 104.8-111.3W 2016/10/19 2016/12/31 70 183,920

Total - - - - 831 2,156,522

Page 24: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

4

Table 2. List of species recorded by scientific observer on longline fishery in the Convention Area in 2016

calendar year (Unit: Number of individuals).

Trip

Species

Albacore 1 1 51 834 337 281 452

Yellowfin tuna 10 78 95 95 558 503 93

Bigeye tuna 24 592 469 1218 1492 1123 954

Skipjack tuna 1 8 26 13 81 49 11

Sailfish 0 2 0 0 2 0 0

Black marlin 0 0 1 4 0 1 1

Blue marlin 0 43 79 11 26 12 6

Spearfishes 1 35 78 165 111 52 268

Striped marlin 0 13 18 111 18 7 84

Sword fish 4 386 265 358 417 211 94

Other teleosts 4 295 177 3147 2342 1271 955

Thresher sharks 1 29 15 20 52 27 8

Shortfin mako 0 0 1 8 7 7 10

Blue shark 12 225 131 194 240 132 78

Oceanic whitetip shark 0 1 1 0 6 2 1

Other Sharks 0 309 55 101 655 530 62

Sting ray 7 318 108 379 246 138 133

Mobulid Raya 0 3 0 0 4 0 0

Other Rays 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

Sea Birds 0 0 0 2 0 0 1

Sea Turtles 0 34 25 1 3 0 0

Mammals 0 0 0 0 4 0 0

Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 65 2372 1597 6661 6601 4346 3211

6 71 2 3 4 5

Page 25: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

5

Table 2. Continued.

Trip

Species

Albacore 261 102 191 0 28 13 2552

Yellowfin tuna 152 47 33 55 239 98 2056

Bigeye tuna 727 310 333 232 680 865 9019

Skipjack tuna 8 4 0 1 15 25 242

Sailfish 0 0 0 0 0 1 5

Black marlin 1 0 1 0 2 1 12

Blue marlin 14 6 2 3 21 23 246

Spearfishes 53 58 85 26 229 161 1322

Striped marlin 40 7 33 17 45 21 414

Sword fish 277 35 24 51 122 444 2688

Other teleosts 597 182 187 279 326 803 10565

Thresher sharks 38 13 1 45 26 88 363

Shortfin mako 14 13 9 10 5 3 87

Blue shark 145 40 24 61 94 253 1629

Oceanic whitetip shark 4 0 0 0 0 1 16

Other Sharks 74 90 0 33 93 893 2895

Sting ray 166 193 4 39 137 334 2202

Mobulid Raya 3 0 0 1 0 7 18

Other Rays 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Sea Birds 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Sea Turtles 0 0 1 0 3 0 67

Mammals 0 0 0 0 0 1 5

Unidentified 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Total 2575 1100 928 853 2065 4035 36409

8 9 10 11 12 13 Total

Page 26: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

6

Fig 1. Line setting locations of Japanese tuna longline for the trips with the scientific observer onboard

in the convention areas of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission during 2016 calendar year (Trip 1

to 13).

Page 27: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

7

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 28: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

8

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 29: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

9

Fig 1. Continued.

Page 30: TENTH MEETING … · National Research Institute of Far Seas Fisheries, FRA . 5-7-1, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka, 424-8633, Japan . Summary . In accordance with Resolution C-11-08, Japan

10

Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate all scientific observers for their efforts in order to collect valuable data and samples

on the Japanese longline vessels. We would also like to express special thanks to all crews of the longline

vessels for their understanding and cooperation to the observer program.