Resolution 18/08 on Procedures on a Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) Management Plan, including a Limitation on the number of FADs, more detailed specifications of catch reporting from FAD sets, and the Development of improved FAD designs to reduce incidence of entanglement of Non-target species.

This Resolution of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) applies to IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) having purse seine vessels and fishing on Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs), equipped with instrumented buoys (clearly marked reference number allowing its identification and equipped with a satellite tracking system to monitor its position) for the purpose of aggregating tuna target species, in the IOTC area of competence. It specifies the maximum number of instrumented buoys active and followed by any purse seine vessels at any one time and the number of instrumented buoys that shall be acquired annually for each purse seine vessel. use of buoys that are within the definition of instrumented buoys shall be phased out. In relation to the use of buoys for fishing operations to which this Resolution applies, specific obligations are imposed on CPC. CPCs with vessels to which this resolution applies shall annually submit to the IOTC Commission Management Plans for the use of FADs by each of their purse seine vessels.

2018-01-01