Which tuna research in Indian Ocean?

This document attempts to develop an overview of the future needs for tuna research that should be recommended by the IOTC. Because of the spectacular increase of the tuna catches in the Indian Ocean during the last 15 years, it is necessary to conduct active research on the major stocks, giving a high priority to all research that will allow a reliable assessment of the stock status. A general problem in the tuna research conducted in the Indian Ocean is the lack of large-scale tagging programs. Such programs should be a priority in future Indian Ocean tuna research. Other research should also be conducted simultaneously upon various biological parameters which are fundamental to stock assessment. The fishery associated with artificial floating objects, which is of major importance in the Indian Ocean, should be more actively monitored. Another priority for future research should be a better evaluation of the increase of purse-seine efficiency in the area. In general, stock assessment methods which are well adapted to the Indian Ocean context should be explored or developed. Active international cooperation will have to be organised by IOTC in order to conduct those large-scale and ambitious research programs. Extensive funding will also be necessary to conduct those programs, as large tagging programs are always expensive, and be made available rapidly.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Fonteneau, A., Marsac, F., Pianet, R., Stequert, B.
Format:	Proceedings Paper biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	IOTC 1998
Subjects:	Catch/effort, Purse seining, Catching methods, ISW, Indian Ocean,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/61
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