Overview

A collection of code lists modelling:

Return back to the list of reference data domains.

Species Groups

All groups of species of relevance to the IOTC.

Species Categories

All categories of species of relevance to the IOTC.

Species

Reference codes modelling the species interacting with Indian Ocean fisheries as:

  • target species (retained or discarded)
  • non-target species (retained or discarded)
  • sampled individuals
  • etc.

These correspond to a subset of the entries currently found in the ASFIS list of species for fishery statistics purposes, from which they inherit the alphabetic codes, English, French and scientific names, as well as the family and order, and add the species category (in the IOTC sense), and other characteristics of each entry such as their status of single species / species aggregate, bait species, SSI species, IOTC species.

Species references are associated to a species group and to a species category through their SPECIES_GROUP_CODE and SPECIES_CATEGORY_CODE attributes, respectively.

All Species

All species of relevance to the IOTC, regardless of their nature and classification.

IOTC Species

Species managed by the IOTC, as defined in Article 3 of the Agreement, covering populations (“stocks”) that occur in or migrate into or out of the IOTC Area, as listed in Annex B.

The list may include a limited number of IOTC-specific aggregate codes (prefixed “AG”) representing groups of species that cannot be separated in some reporting contexts; however, their use is not recommended, and CPCs are expected to report catches at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Billfish Species

The list of billfish species occurring in the Indian Ocean, most of which are managed by the IOTC. Data reporting requirements applicable to IOTC species also apply to shortbill spearfish.

Shark Species

The Commission identified some pelagic shark species which make an important bycatch of IOTC fisheries and agreed that data requirements for IOTC species shall apply to these species as well.

The list may include a limited number of IOTC-specific aggregate codes (prefixed “AG”) representing groups of species that cannot be separated in some reporting contexts; however, their use is not recommended, and CPCs are expected to report catches at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Ray Species

The Commission identified some pelagic ray species which may be taken as bycatch of IOTC fisheries and agreed that data requirements for IOTC species shall apply to these species as well.

The list may include a limited number of IOTC-specific aggregate codes (prefixed “AG”) representing groups of species that cannot be separated in some reporting contexts; however, their use is not recommended, and CPCs are expected to report catches at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Species of Special Interest

For the purpose of improving the voluntary collection of information on the post-release mortality of discarded species of special interest, the Scientific Committee – at its 21st session in 2018 – endorsed the list of species considered of special interest, as proposed by the ROS expert workshop.

This list is originally found in Appendix VIII of the WPDCS14 report, and further simplified in Appendix 6b of the SC21 report.

Currently, the list of species of special interest includes:

  1. All marine turtles
  2. All cetaceans
  3. All seabirds
  4. Most billfish species
  5. Most pelagic shark species
  6. All mobulid rays

Gear Interactions

Reference codes for the location and type of interaction between an animal and fishing gear, including hooking locations and entanglement in fishing gear or associated structures.

Handling Methods

Reference codes for the methods used to handle the individuals of Species of Special Interest brought onboard.

Cetacean Species

A comprehensive list of cetacean species, which are all considered of special interest by the IOTC. Cetaceans in the IOTC list comprise baleen whales and toothed whales, including beaked whales, sperm whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The code AG_CETACEANS may be used to report unidentified cetaceans; however, CPCs are expected to report interactions at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Seabird Species

A comprehensive list of seabird species occurring in the Indian Ocean, all of which are considered of special interest by the IOTC. Seabirds in this list comprise mainly albatrosses, petrels (including shearwaters and giant petrels), and a few gannets. The code AG_SEABIRDS may be used to report unidentified seabirds; however, CPCs are expected to report interactions at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Marine Turtle Species

The list of marine turtles species occurring in the Indian Ocean, all of which are considered of special interest by the IOTC. Marine turtles in this list comprise the main sea turtle groups: leatherback and hard‑shell turtles. The code TTX may be used to report unidentified marine turtles; however, CPCs are expected to report interactions at the most detailed species level possible in accordance with IOTC reporting standards.

Other “Bycatch” Species

The list of all marine species other than the IOTC species. Bycatch species comprise a diverse mix of sharks and rays, bony fishes, cephalopods, and other marine taxa, including unidentified and aggregated groups.

Bait Species

Bait Conditions

Reference codes for the bait conditions.

Types of Bait

Reference codes for the types of bait.

Predator Species

Types of Fate

Reference codes used to identify a given fate as indicating that the fish has been retained or discarded.

Fates

All possible fates, combining the reasons for retain and those for discard.

Reasons for Retaining

Reference codes modelling the reasons why aquatic creatures caught by the fishery are retained onboard, i.e., those with the type of fate set to ‘RE’.

Reasons for Discarding

Reference codes that model the reasons why aquatic creatures caught by the fishery are then discarded at sea, i.e., those with the type of fate set to ‘DI’.

Individual Conditions

Reference codes modelling the conditions (at capture / at release) of individual aquatic creatures being discarded at sea or measured.

Depredation Sources

Reference codes for depredation sources.

Scars

Reference codes for the origin of the scars observed from depredation events.

Tagging

Types of Tag

Reference codes for the types of tags released or retrieved.

Sampling

Period

Reference codes for the period (during operations) when samples are collected.

Protocols

Reference code list describing the general protocol used to collect biological or size samples from catches.

Fish Status

Reference codes describing the status of fish specimens sampled, according to their preservation or processing condition.

Sex

Reference codes modelling the sex of the individual aquatic creatures being measured.

Maturity Stages

Reference codes modelling the maturity stage derived from macroscopic exam of the gonads.

Methods

Biological Sampling

Reference code list describing the method used to select specimens from a catch, landing or sampling unit for inclusion in a biological or size-sampling collection.

Total Catch Estimation

Reference code list describing the method used to estimate catch quantities, species composition, or sampling fractions from observed, sampled, or reported catches.

Biological Materials

Reference codes for the possible types of biological materials collected by samplers or observers.

Sample Preservation Methods

Morphometrics

Types of Measurement

Reference codes used to identify a given measurement type as length or weight measurements, as well as to identify a given measurement tool as measuring lengths or weights.

Measurements

All Measurements

All possible measurements, combining those specific for individual lengths and weights.

These do not include information on the actual measuring tool used, nor on the straight / curved nature of the measurement (for lengths only) which have to be provided separately if necessary.

Length Measurements

All possible length measurements, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘LN’.

Weight Measurements

All possible weight measurements, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘WG’.

Measurement Tools

All Measurement Tools

All possible measurement tools, combining those specific for individual lengths and weights.

Length Measurement Tools

All possible length measurement tools, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘LN’.

Weight Measurement Tools

All possible weight measurement tools, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘WG’.

Recommended Measurements

All recommended measurement values (size bins, min / max measurements, etc.) by species.