Data and Statistics

• Guidelines for the reporting of data to the IOTC
• Reporting data to the IOTC
• Status of IOTC fisheries statistics and data quality
• Datasets available

The IOTC Secretariat receives, reviews, compiles, safe-keeps and disseminates data on catch, fishing effort, individual fish lengths, and other biological parameters and socio-economics from IOTC fisheries, as well as the species impacted by those fisheries in the IOTC area of competence, as per the standards agreed by the Commission.

The Guidelines for the reporting of fisheries statistics to the IOTC, produced by the IOTC Secretariat, are updated regularly to incorporate all new requirements and facilitate reporting of data by IOTC CPCs to the Secretariat.

Species identification sheets for all IOTC species, sharks, marine turtles, seabirds and other species, are available for download with a view to improve species identification at-sea (observers) and in land (enumerators).

Reporting Data to the IOTC

The Secretariat sends periodic requests for data on the fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. These requests are not only addressed to Member of the Commission but to all countries involved in the different fisheries. Data submitted by the countries must conform to the minimum mandatory data requirements and they are subject to the rules of confidentiality adopted by the Commission:

• IOTC Resolution 15/02 On Mandatory Statistical Requirements
• IOTC Resolution 12/02 On Data Confidentiality Policy and Procedures

Status of reporting of fisheries statistics and data quality

The IOTC Databases are under constant review. Each year, the IOTC Secretariat prepares reports on the status of fisheries for IOTC species, main trends, and main issues identified for each dataset and species for the Working Parties.

Datasets Available

IOTC holds a number of databases. The data, on a flag state basis, are supplied by both Contracting parties (Members) and cooperating non-contracting parties fishing for tunas and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. 

The IOTC Secretariat prepares also specific datasets for the each IOTC Working Parties listed below (also accessible from the Science page):

• WP on Billfish (WPB)
• WP on Neritic Tunas (WPNT)
• WP on Temperate Tunas (WPTmT)
• WP on Tropical Tunas (WPTT)
• WP on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB)
• Historical datasets published for past Working Parties