Improving Data to Support the Sustainable and Equitable Management of Ecosystems and Natural Resources in the Indian Ocean - GCP/INT/322/EC

Project's full title	Improving Data to Support the Sustainable and Equitable Management of Ecosystems and Natural Resources in the Indian Ocean - GCP/INT/322/EC
Introduction	The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) is an intergovernmental organization established under the FAO Constitution to manage tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Its main aim is the conservation and optimum utilization of fish stocks for long-term sustainability. The IOTC’s management objective of enhancing the scientific component of fisheries management is currently limited due to a paucity of data for some of the major IOTC fisheries.
Country	Indonesia Iran (Islamic Republic of) Mauritius Pakistan Sri Lanka United Republic of Tanzania
Start date	01/10/2018
End date	31/12/2022
Status	Closed
Donor	European Union
Recipient / Target Areas	Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania
Budget	USD 850 682
Project Code	GCP/INT/322/EC
Objective / Goal	The project aimed to develop and implement a comprehensive and effective training programmeto support the implementation of the IOTC ROS by addressing the major issues associated with the variability of observer programmes, and providing the information, sets of tools and materials required to support members in establishing their national schemes. The specific objective of the project was to improve the capacity (knowledge, understanding, tools, skills, systems and good practices) of individual observers and national bodies to implement the ROS and to collect information as required by the IOTC. A range of materials were developed to support the implementation of the IOTC ROS, including standardized data collection and reporting forms for the four gear types prioritized by the IOTC (i.e. purse seine, longline, pole and line and gillnet), and observer coordinator and field observer manuals. The project also oversaw the development and delivery of a training programme and materials for observer logistic coordinators (OLC) and scientific field observers (SFO) in four target countries –Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Partners	Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
Beneficiaries	Communities in the target countries, who will benefit from sustainable and equitable management of ecosystems and natural resources, the IOTC and its Scientific Committee, national technical agencies and female scientists in IOTC member countries
Activities	Training package produced for observer programme coordinators, including an observer coordinator manual and a training curriculum, based on the manual, covering all technical and scientific aspects of the training required and the expected learning outcomes for each component. The package was adapted to the participating CPCs (e.g. gear types and languages). Training package produced for field observers, including update of the existing field observer manual for SFOs, inclusion of fishery-specific guidelines relating to the main IOTC gear types in use (purse seine, longline, pole and line and gillnet), revision and redesign of data collection forms, training curriculum for SFOs and production of course assessment forms and tools. Online learning management system platform developed, on to which all of the customized e learning tools and materials have been uploaded, for use by any CPC conducting ROS training. Practical guidelines produced for SFOs to follow when deployed on board registered vessels operating in the industrial large pelagic fisheries in the Indian Ocean. Delivery of observer training programme, including missions to Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and the United Republic of Tanzania to train the coordinators and assist them in the establishment of an observer scheme, introduction of observer coordinators to the IOTC electronic data reporting and management systems, training of field observers in newly developed materials (e.g. observer responsibilities and survival-at-sea) and organization of a set of pilot field observer deployments.
Impact	The expected impact of the project was an improvement in the scientific information and management advice on fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species operating in the IOTC area of competence. The project outputs now form a permanent part of the materials available to support the implementation of the ROS. The training materials produced can be tailored to individual CPCs to carry out their own OLC and SFO training with a view to improving their capacity to implement the ROS.
Contact	Christopher James O’Brien (Budget Holder) - [email protected]
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