This Resolution of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), emphasizing the necessity of obtaining better data collection to achieve management measures for fishing effort that affects the fishing mortality of sharks by multi-species longline fleets, both artisanal and industrial, in the coastal countries, establishes as follows: continue the long-term sampling program (Project C.4.a), to the extent possible, in those shark fisheries related to tunas and tuna-like species in Central America for assessing indicators of silky shark stocks. Members and Cooperating Non-Members (CPCs) shall prohibit retaining on board, transshipping, landing, or storing, in part or whole, carcasses of silky sharks caught by purse-seine vessels in the IATTC Convention Area. CPCs shall require that their purse-seine vessels release live silky sharks whenever possible. CPCs shall require all other vessels whose fishing licenses do not include sharks as a fishing target to a specified maximum limit of bycatch. CPCs that allow retention of silky sharks by their vessels, shall ensure compliance with the established measures. CPCs shall require vessels to not fish in silky shark pupping areas, as may be adopted by the Commission.
2019-07-26