Port Monitoring for Purse Seine Catches Workshop

Introduction

Port monitoring is the process of checking and recording the amount and type of fish caught when fishing vessels land their catch at port. This helps ensure that fisheries are managed responsibly and that accurate data is collected.

Purse seine fishing is a method that uses a large net to encircle schools of tuna and other species. Monitoring purse seine catches is important because these nets catch large volumes of fish that play a key role in Pacific tuna fisheries.

The Port Monitoring for Purse Seine Catches Workshop brought together experts, countries, and organizations to share experiences, propose sampling methods, and improve data collection.

Why Monitoring Matters

• Provides accurate information on tuna stocks.
• Helps countries meet reporting requirements under the WCPFC Convention.
• Improves management decisions for sustainable fishing.
• Supports fair trade and certification by verifying catch data.

Types of Monitoring Discussed

At the workshop, participants reviewed different monitoring and sampling approaches:

• Port sampling – Inspecting and recording fish size and species when vessels unload at port.
• Cannery sampling – Collecting data directly at processing plants.
• Observer programs – Placing trained observers on vessels to monitor catches at sea.

Workshop Documents

Below is the full set of documents from the workshop. These include presentations, reports, and country statements. Each title links to the original document, and files are available in PDF format.

Page updated 5 Apr, 2011