The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Albatross and Petrel Agreement renew their Memorandum of Understanding

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has been holding its 19th Session in Busan, Korea this week.  Among the matters discussed was a proposal to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and the Albatross and Petrel Agreement (click here).

The original MoU between the IOTC and ACAP came into force on 3 April 2009 at the 13th Meeting of the Commission to last for a period of five years (click here), and has thus expired.  Following intersessional discussion by the IOTC Members a slightly revised version has been adopted in Busan for a further five-year period.

The new MoU will continue to facilitate cooperation between the IOTC and the ACAP Secretariat with a view to supporting efforts to minimise the incidental bycatch of albatrosses and petrels listed in Annex 1 of the Agreement within the IOTC area of competence.

Amsterdam Albatross, an Indian Ocean endemic, photograph by Kirk Zufelt 

The following text is taken from the MoU adopted at the IOTC meeting:

“Both sides may establish and maintain consultation, co-operation and collaboration in respect of matters of common interest to both sides for the:

a) development of systems for collecting and analysing data, and exchanging information concerning the incidental bycatch of seabirds in the area of competence of the IOTC;

b) exchange of information regarding management approaches relevant to the conservation of albatrosses and petrels;

c) implementation of education and awareness programmes for fishers who operate in areas where albatrosses and petrels may be encountered;

d) design, testing and implementation of seabird bycatch mitigation measures relevant to fishing operations in the area of competence of the IOTC;

e) development of training programs on conservation techniques and measures to mitigate threats affecting albatrosses and petrels; and

f) exchange of expertise, techniques and knowledge relevant to the conservation of albatrosses and petrels in the area of competence of the IOTC; and

g) reciprocal participation with observer status at the relevant meetings of each organisation.”

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 01 May 2015