Multilateral Fishery Science Cooperation - Pacific Ocean

North Pacific Interim Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species (ISC) The ISC was formed by the United States and Japan in January 1995 as a first step toward creating a fishery management and conservation organization for North Pacific pelagic fish stocks. The purposes of ISC are to (1) enhance scientific research and cooperation for conservation and rational utilization of the species of tuna and tunalike fisheries which inhabit the North Pacific Ocean during all or part of their life cycle; and (2) establish the scientific groundwork, so at some future time a multilateral regime for the conservation and rational utilization of the region’s pelagic fish stocks may be created. Membership in the ISC is open to all coastal States of the region, as well as States whose vessels fish for tuna or tuna-like species in the region.

On a practical level, the ISC regularly assesses and analyzes fishery and other information, prepares reports, formulates research proposals, and to the extent possible, coordinates international and national research programs on the relevant species. Four Working Groups have been established by the ISC: (1) the Swordfish Working Group, (2) Bluefin Tuna Working Group, (3) Bigeye Tuna Working Group, and (4) the Data Collection Systems Working Group.

North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)

The primary role of PICES is to coordinate research efforts undertaken by the Parties and to facilitate the exchange of scientific and technical information on a broad range of scientific disciplines. The organization provides an international forum to promote greater understanding of the biological and oceanographic processes of the North Pacific Ocean and its role in global environment.

Standing Committee on Tuna and Billfish (SCTB) of the Secretarait of the Pacific Community (SPC)

The SCTB was established in 1988, as an advisory body to the Tuna and Billfish Assessment Programme, to assist in the conduct of pelagic fisheries research through the provision of expertise, information and technical advice. It provides a forum for scientists and others with an interest in the tuna stocks of the western and central Pacific region to meet to discuss scientific issues related to data, research and stock assessment. The SCTB adopted five objectives: “(1) coordinate fisheries data collection, compilation and dissemination according to agreed principles and procedures; (2) review research on the biology, ecology, environment and fisheries for tunas and associated species in the western and central Pacific Ocean; (3) identify research needs and provide a means of coordination, including the fostering of collaborative research, to most efficiently and effectively meet those needs; (4) review information pertaining to the status of stocks of tunas and associated species in the western and central Pacific Ocean, and to produce statements on stock status where appropriate; and (5) provide opinion on various scientific issues related to data, research and stock assessment of western and central Pacific Ocean tuna fisheries. ”