This Resolution establishes binding obligations requiring Members and Cooperating Non-Members to align their Ecologically Related Species (ERS) measures with those of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Emphasizing consistency among tuna RFMOs and concern over incidental impacts on seabirds, sea turtles, sharks, cetaceans and other species in Southern Bluefin Tuna fisheries, it requires all vessels authorized to fish for SBT to comply with ERS measures in force within the relevant RFMO Area of Competence, regardless of flag State membership, and mandates the use of Tori lines south of 30°S outside those areas. Where RFMO areas overlap, Members may choose which ERS regime to apply. The Resolution also obliges flag States to take enforcement action against non-compliant vessels and report to the CCSBT Compliance Committee where necessary, while the Secretariat must annually update the list of applicable ERS measures and report on implementation. Limited exemptions apply for formally objected or under-review measures, and an annex enumerates the specific ERS resolutions and recommendations—covering turtles, sharks, rays, cetaceans, seabirds and bycatch data—that are binding under this framework.
2025-10-09