This year has been a major learning and experience gaining year for me as the leader of the South African ATF team. I have been given many opportunities to get involved in the application and international relevance of the work the ATF conducts.
Some of the fisheries that we work in target fish stocks that are highly migratory and traverse large distances across our oceans. Most well known of these are the various tuna species, most commonly targeted by pelagic longline fisheries. As these fish species encounter fisheries from various countries it is important that they are managed as one stock that is targeted by the various countries. In other words, one set of regulations pertains to each of these countries that have signed up to fish that particular fish stock. These are managed by what are known as Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), international bodies dedicated to the sustainable management of fisheries resources in a particular region for a particular species. One such RFMO is the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). The IOTC is one of five RFMOs, which are collectively responsible for the management of tuna and tuna-like species across over 90% of the world’s ocean.
The commission (currently made up of 31 members, as well as non-contracting parties and observers) meet annually to decide on what recommendations should be taken forward and implemented. The IOTC discusses all aspects of managing the fishery including those relating to marine turtles, seabirds and sharks.
I recently attended the annual IOTC meeting in Grand Baie, Mauritius and witnessed delegates of different countries discuss the various suggestions that were put forward to the commission. It was also extremely interesting to see which countries are the major players in this commission and the process that is followed before any regulations are adopted. It was very similar to being in a political or cabinet meeting where each party gets to argue their case until finally an outcome is agreed upon, or if it is not it is carried over to the next year.
This meeting also gave me the opportunity to meet some of the Mauritian delegates to discuss possible future work with Asian vessels that come through the port of St Louis. The Mauritian Ministry of Fisheries State Port Control and Seafood Hub kindly spent half a morning showing me their offices and explaining all they do, as well as giving me a good understanding of the vessel types and countries that land their catch in Mauritius.
With a little bit of weekend time after the meeting we were lucky enough to have the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) staff show us around Ile aux Aigrettes – a nature reserve off the south east coast of Mauritius. We were taken on a tour of the island where we were fortunate enough to see the Pink Pigeon and the Aldabran Giant Tortoise. MWF have done an astounding job at removing all alien vegetation and restoring the island to its natural habitat. We were also shown around their seabird translocation project. This project began in 2009 and is a long-term project to help both the local population and Ile aux Aigrettes to fully recover. We were able to see the recently translocated White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) and Common Noddy (Anous stolidus). These birds are young nestlings from islands such as Round Island and Serpent Island where the populations are considered stable. After fledging, these young birdswill hopefully return to Ile aux Aigrettes within 4-5 years, to form pairs, begin breeding and form a healthy population on this island. The team were anxiously awaiting the return of the first group of fledglings that were released in 2009.