This domain provides reference data used to identify and classify marine species relevant to IOTC fisheries and to standardise the collection and reporting of biological information. It covers species classifications, catch retention and discard information, interactions with fishing gear, tagging, biological sampling and morphometric measurements. These classifications support consistent species identification, biological data collection and analysis, including information collected through the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme (ROS).
All groups of species of relevance to the IOTC.
All categories of species of relevance to the IOTC.
Reference codes modelling the species interacting with Indian Ocean fisheries as:
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 of relevance to the IOTC, regardless of their nature and classification.
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.
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.
The list of shark species occurring in the Indian Ocean.
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.
The list of ray species occurring in the Indian Ocean.
The list may include a limited number of aggregate codes (e.g., SRX, STT) 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.
The Commission identified some 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 includes the aggregate code “MAN” representing groups of mobulid ray 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.
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:
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.
Reference codes for the methods used to handle the individuals of Species of Special Interest brought onboard.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reference codes for the bait conditions.
Reference codes for the types of bait.
Reference codes used to identify a given fate as indicating that the fish has been retained or discarded.
All possible fates, combining the reasons for retain and those for discard.
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’.
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’.
Reference codes modelling the conditions (at capture / at release) of individual aquatic creatures being discarded at sea or measured.
Reference codes for depredation sources.
Reference codes for the origin of the scars observed from depredation events.
Reference codes for the types of tags released or retrieved.
Reference code list describing the period (during operations) when samples are collected.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant la période (au cours des opérations) durant laquelle les échantillons sont prélevés.
Reference code list describing the general protocol used to collect biological or size samples from catches.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant le protocole général utilisé pour prélever des échantillons biologiques ou de taille sur les prises.
Reference code list describing the status of fish specimens sampled, according to their preservation or processing condition.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant l’état des spécimens de poissons prélevés, en fonction de leur état de conservation ou de transformation.
Reference code list describing the sex of the individual aquatic creatures being measured.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant le sexe des différents organismes aquatiques faisant l’objet des mesures.
Reference code list describing the maturity stage derived from macroscopic exam of the gonads.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant le stade de maturité déterminé à partir de l’examen macroscopique des gonades.
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.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant la méthode utilisée pour sélectionner des spécimens dans une capture, un débarquement ou une unité d’échantillonnage afin de constituer un échantillon biologique ou de tailles
Reference code list describing the method used to estimate catch quantities, species composition, or sampling fractions from observed, sampled, or reported catches.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant la méthode utilisée pour estimer les quantités de captures, la composition par espèce ou les fractions d’échantillonnage à partir des captures observées, échantillonnées ou déclarées.
Reference code list describing the possible types of biological materials collected by samplers or observers.
Liste de codes de référence décrivant les types possibles de matériel biologique prélevé par les échantillonneurs ou les observateurs.
Reference code list describing a given measurement type as length or weight measurements, as well as a given measurement tool as measuring lengths or weights.
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.
All possible length measurements, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘LN’.
All possible weight measurements, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘WG’.
All possible measurement tools, combining those specific for individual lengths and weights.
All possible length measurement tools, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘LN’.
All possible weight measurement tools, i.e., those with the type of measurement set to ‘WG’.
All recommended measurement values (size bins, min / max measurements, etc.) by species.