From the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Fisheries Service:

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) held its 75th annual meeting on June 25-29, 2007, in Cancun, Mexico.

Participants failed to reach agreement on new tuna conservation measures. The United States' proposal would establish a total allowable catch regime for yellowfin; a per-nation allocation for bigeye tuna harvested by longline; and a per-vessel limit for bigeye tuna harvested by purse seine, as recommended by the IATTC scientific staff. The IATTC will meet in an extra-ordinary session in October 2007 to try once again to resolve the issue of tuna conservation for 2008 and beyond.

The IATTC adopted several resolutions, including a U.S. proposal to strengthen sea turtle mitigation measures. This resolution requires the implementation of FAO Guidelines to reduce sea turtle bycatch, injury and mortality and, if practicable, to bring aboard and resuscitate any comatose sea turtles. Purse seine vessels are directed to avoid setting on sea turtles and release all sea turtles observed to be entangled in Fish Aggregating Devices. Longline vessels are required to carry sea turtle release gear (de-hookers, line cutters and scoop nets) for prompt release of incidentally caught sea turtles. Parties are also directed to conduct research on fishing methods to identify means of further reducing sea turtle bycatch.

A provisional list of Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing vessels was also adopted.

For more information, contact Allison.Routt@noaa.gov.

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