MSC pre-assessment

Participants confirmed

Workplan made available

A meeting was held to outline plans for a 2025 multinational workshop, research funding for swordfish marking and genetics and improved data integration to enhance stock assessments in the SE Pacific. Additionally, it emphasized training in data analysis, AI exploration, blue shark research, and better biological sampling by onboard observers.

The FIP attended the 102nd IATTC meeting, where Ecuador's delegation actively promoted item 2.3, related to South Pacific swordfish. This recommendation involves providing data to update the baseline stock assessment for presentation at the 2026 Scientific Advisory Committee meeting.

The FIP is currently conducting technical consultations to advance the implementation of the pilot programme in partnership with the company Zunibal; consultations remain ongoing. 

The FIP is working with a specialist to coordinate efforts to standardize the data recorded in the fisheries authority's Excel databases, particularly in the framework of the observer program. 

Ecuador continues to update its National Action Plan for Shark Conservation and Management (PAT-Ec) which launched in 2006. The Advisory Scientific Technical Committee, established in 2020, has been reactivated to guide Ecuador's shark conservation plan by involving public and private stakeholders in scientific advising. The committee is tasked with conducting annual biological productivity studies, producing educational materials, and supporting CITES compliance by ensuring non-detrimental extraction determinations for shark species.

Contact has been established with a company for the development of a pilot project for electronic monitoring.

The FIP has developed a new logbook format for observers that records the total catch of target fish and bycatch. A description of activities carried out at the time of release and or interaction with ETP species is now included as well. 

The FIP has produced a report on the impact of longline as marine debris; the report details that longline has a lower impact than expected.

An updated version of the manual of best practices has been made available and will be presented to experts in conservation for feedback and recommendations.

The FIP has undergone an analysis of gaps in the observer system in the fishery. The FIP will focus on automating data collection via e-logbooks and will utilize AI to help improve reporting. 

The FIP has developed a report to identify the current status of seabirds that have the potential to interact with the fishery. 

The FIP has undergone a review of mitigation measures implemented across the Ecuador longline fleet. 

The FIP has established a stakeholder committee for the development of the National Swordfish Action Plan (NAP). 

The FIP is in the process of improving how data is collected by onboard observers; a presentation of the improvement proposal has been made available. 

WWF is participating in the "Sharks Speaks" project to promote shark and ray conservation; a comprehensive shark identification guide has been developed. 

The FIP has initiated the design of a protocol for the collection and recycling of fishing gear in an effort to mitigate gear abandonment and ghost gear. 

The FIP is in the process of developing a set of onboard best practices; the work remains ongoing. 

Logbooks have been developed for captains of vessels that don't carry observers onboard to record interactions with vulnerable/ ETP species. 

A series of working groups were held with the SRP's Fisheries Control Directorate to review data collected via the observer program and database management. 

The FIP participated in the 101st meeting of the IATTC; the commission is focused on continuing research and monitoring of swordfish in the EPO to inform the next stock assessment.

The FIP and the IATTC signed an MoU in an effort to collaborate across scientific and technical programs and projects that seek to improve data collection and the promotion of best practices onboard vessels.

The FIP attended the 14th meeting of the SAC; the 2019 South EPO Swordfish Benchmark Assessment was presented in an effort to promote recommendations and strengthen data collection progress. 

The onboard observer program has begun to collect fishing effort information, including the total number of hooks at sea and the number of hooks lost per trip; a template of the data reporting format has been made available

A monitoring and traceability project is underway to implement EMS onboard vessels; a presentation on the proposal of the project has been made available

The final draft of the code of good practices has undergone stakeholder consultations and is now available.

Onboard observers have begun to collect and record seabird interaction logbook data 

The FIP has created and presented a slideshow on how to handle and release bycatch and vulnerable species in conjunction with their observer training. 

The FIP has participated in several meetings, workshops and seminars between summer/ fall 2022

The onboard observer programs continue to collect data on fishing activity to better understand the interaction and impact on the marine ecosystem; the available catch data has been summarized into a report which demonstrates that blue sharks are the most commonly caught incidental species. 

The development of the observer program is underway; the observers are in continuous discussion with the captains to determine a minimum catch size. 

At the 10th meeting of the IATTC, CIAT and the group discussed the minimum standards for implementing electronic monitoring on longline vessels.

Memorandum No. MPCEIP-DPL-2023-1350-M issued which corroborates LODAP  and compiles twenty administrative fishing sanctioning files that demonstrate monitoring, control and surveillance processes are in place. 

Two separate onboard observer programs are now being implemented for the swordfish longline fishery with discussions on data sharing between two programs underway.