This Resolution of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission establishes a harvest strategy (management procedure MP1) for swordfish in the IOTC area of competence, consistent with the Commission’s management objectives and the precautionary approach. The procedure aims to maintain the stock at sustainable levels around MSY-based reference points, keep it out of overfished and overfishing conditions, and provide stability in catches by constraining annual changes in the total allowable catch. It assigns the Scientific Committee responsibility for operating the procedure and recommending TACs, which the Commission must adopt unless exceptional circumstances apply, and provides for phased implementation, periodic review, and future consideration of ecosystem and bycatch impacts.
2024-01-01