Bycatch in the tuna purse-seine fisheries of the western Indian Ocean

Bycatch taken by the tuna purse-seine fishery from the Indian Ocean pelagic ecosystem was estimated from data collected by scientific observers aboard Soviet purse seiners in the western Indian Ocean (WIO) during 1986-92. A total of 494 sets on free-swimming schools, whale-shark-associated schools, whale-associated schools, and log-associated schools were analyzed. More than 40 fish species and other marine animals were recorded. Among them only two species, yellow-fin and skipjack tunas, were target species. Average levels of bycatch were 0.518 metric tons (t) per set, and 27.1 t per 1000 t of target species. The total annual purse-seine catch of yellow-fin and skipjack tunas by principal fishing nations in the WIO during 1985-94 was 118,000-277,000 t. Nonrecorded annual bycatch for this period was estimated at 944-2270 t of pelagic oceanic sharks, 720-1877 t of rainbow runners, 705-1836 t of dolphinfishes, 507-1322 t of triggerfishes, 113-294 t of wahoo, 104-251 t of billfishes, 53-112 t of mobulas and mantas, 35-89 t of mackerel scad, 9-24 t of barracudas, and 67-174 t of other fishes. In addition, turtle bycatch and whale mortalities may have occurred. Because the bycatches were not recorded by some purse-seine vessels, it was not possible to assess the full impact of the fisheries on the pelagic ecosystem of the Indian Ocean. The first step to solving this problem is for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to establish a program in which scientific observers are placed on board tuna purse-seine and longline vessels fishing in the WIO.