Resolution 19/03 On the Conservation of Mobulid Rays Caught Iin Association with Fisheries in the IOTC Area of Competence

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC),

RECOGNISING Resolution 12/01 On the implementation of the Precautionary Approach calls on IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties to apply the precautionary approach when managing tuna and tuna-like species in accordance with Article 5 of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement and that, for sound fisheries management, such an approach applies also within areas under national jurisdiction;

RECALLING IOTC Resolution 05/05 Concerning the conservation of sharks caught in association with fisheries managed by IOTC [superseded by Resolution 17/05];

CONSIDERING that the species of the family Mobulidae, which includes manta rays and mobula rays (hereinafter mobulid rays), are extremely vulnerable to overfishing as they are slow-growing, late sexual maturity, have long gestation periods, and often give birth to only a few pups;

RECOGNISING the ecological and cultural significance of mobulid rays in the Indian Ocean;

CONCERNED about the possible impacts on these species by the different fisheries occurring from coastal areas to the high seas;

CONSIDERING that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Plan of Action for Sharks calls on States to cooperate through regional fisheries management organizations to ensure the sustainability of shark stocks;

CONCERNED by the lack of complete and accurate data reporting concerning fishing activities on non-targeted species;

RECOGNIZING the need to improve the collection of species-specific data on catch, catch rates, release, discards, and trade as a basis for improving the conservation and management of mobulid rays stocks;

NOTING that the mobulid rays are listed in Appendix I and Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the range States to a migratory species shall endeavour to strictly protect them;

FURTHER NOTING that the mobulid rays are also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for which trade shall be closely controlled under specific conditions including, inter alia, that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild;

ACKNOWLEDGING that the Scientific Committee (SC21) recently noted the declines of these species across the Indian Ocean and RECOMMEND that management actions, such as no-retention measures amongst other, are required and must be immediately adopted;

ADOPTS, in accordance with the provisions of Article IX, paragraph 1 of the IOTC Agreement, the following: