This Resolution establishes a programme to monitor transhipment which applies only to large-scale tuna longline fishing vessels and to carrier vessels authorized to receive transhipments from these vessels in the IOTC area of competence. Except under the programme to monitor transhipments at sea, all transhipment operations of tuna and tuna-like species and sharks caught in association with tuna and tuna-like fisheries in the IOTC area of competence shall take place in port. The Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure that their flag large-scale tuna vessels comply with the obligations in Annex I when transhipping in port. The information on tuna and tuna like species and sharks being transhipped outside the IOTC area of competence shall be provided to the IOTC Secretariat. This Resolution consists of 5 Sections attached with 6 Annexes. This Resolution provides for the establishment of an IOTC Record of Carrier Vessels authorised to receive tuna and tuna-like species and sharks from LSTLVs in the IOTC area of competence; inspection by the port State CPCs; seperation of transhipments of of tuna and tuna-like species and sharks in terms of quantities by vessel and major species; prior authorization from Flag State CPCs for transhipments by LSTLVs in waters under their jurisdiction; and the obligations of the master and/or owner of the LSTLV and master of the receiving carrier vessel transhipping at sea. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the IOTC Conservation and Management Measures pertaining to species covered by the Statistical Document Program, (I) flag CPCs of LSTLVs shall ensure that transhipments are consistent with the reported catch amount by each LSTLV, in validating the Statistical Document; (II) the flag CPCs of LSTLVs shall validate the Statistical Documents for the transhipped fish, after confirming that the transhipment was conducted in accordance with this Resolution and this confirmation shall be based on the information obtained through the IOTC ROP; and (III) CPCs shall require that the species covered by the Statistical Document Program caught by LSTLVs in the IOTC area of competence, when imported into the territory of a CPC, be accompanied by statistical documents validated for the vessels on the IOTC record and a copy of the IOTC transhipment declaration.
2023-01-01