Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB)

Purpose

The Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPEB) is the technical body responsible for reviewing and analysing issues related to bycatch, byproduct, and non-target species affected by IOTC fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species, including sharks, rays, marine turtles, seabirds, cetaceans, and other associated species. It also considers the broader ecosystems in which these fisheries operate.

In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the WPEB develops approaches to integrate ecosystem considerations into scientific advice and provides recommendations to the Scientific Committee and the Commission to support ecosystem-based management of IOTC fisheries. The WPEB reviews and analyses matters relevant to bycatch, byproduct and non-target species which are affected by IOTC fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species (i.e. sharks, marine turtles, seabirds, marine mammals and other fishes), as well as the ecosystems in which they operate; and to develop mechanisms which can be used to better integrate ecosystem considerations into the scientific advice provided by the Scientific Committee to the Commission.

• Status of development and implementation of National Plans of Action for seabirds and sharks, and implementation of the FAO guidelines to reduce marine turtle mortality in fishing operations

Current focus species/groups include:

Current focus species/groups for wpeb

English name (click for status)	Scientific name	FAO code	Image
Sharks
Blue sharks	Prionace glauca	BSH
Oceanic whitetip sharks	Carcharhinus longimanus	OCS
Scalloped hammerhead sharks	Sphyrna lewini	SPL
Shortfin mako sharks	Isurus oxyrinchus	SMA
Silky sharks	Carcharhinus falciformis	FAL
Bigeye thresher sharks	Alopias superciliosus	BTH
Pelagic thresher sharks	Alopias pelagicus	PTH
Marine turtles
Flatback turtle	Natator depressus
Green turtle	Chelonia mydas
Hawksbill turtle	Eretmochelys imbricata
Leatherback turtle	Dermochelys coriacea
Loggerhead turtle	Caretta caretta
Olive ridley turtle	Lepidochelys olivacea
Seabirds
Numerous species

Current workplan

You can consult the current program of work for the Scientific Committee and its Working Parties, as endorsed by the Scientific Committee at its most recent Session.

Current Chairperson Dr Charlene da Silva (South Africa), 1st  term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2027.	Current Vice-Chairpersons 1st: Dr Yanan Li (China), 1st term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2027. 2nd: Dr Philippe Sabarros (EU, France), 1st  term ends at the close of the WPEB in 2027.