4.3(c) Observer Coverage – Grace Period for Electronic Monitoring Systems for Certain Large-Scale Purse Seine Vessels

ISSF has defined for its Conservation Measures that large-scale purse seine vessels are those with at least 335 m3 fish hold volume. However, certain vessels who meet this definition are not considered large-scale in certain RFMOs and therefore are unable to obtain human observers for each fishing trip as a means to meet the requirements of ISSF Conservation Measure 4.3(a). Owners of large-scale purse seine vessels who fit in this category may seek to install an electronic monitoring system (if proven to be effective) in lieu of human observers. In such an event, the following provisions apply:

1. The vessel owner must identify each vessel involved and provide satisfactory evidence of an executed agreement with a service provider to install an electronic monitoring system on each vessel.
2. Once such evidence has been determined to be satisfactory, the vessel will be deemed to be in compliance with this measure for a period of six (6) months, which will allow appropriate time for installation of and training on the electronic monitoring system.
3. The vessel owner must provide satisfactory proof that the equipment has been installed and is operating within that time period; in the event that such proof is not provided within grace period, the vessel will return to a non-compliant status with ISSF Conservation Measure 4.3(a).

Download the Electronic Monitoring Vendors and Data Submission Information (PDF) for (1) an EM vendors list; (2) contact information for submitting (a) FAD tracking and echosounder biomass data and (2) bycatch data; and (3) data submission guidelines.