The Secretariat sends periodic requests for data on the fisheries for tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. These requests are not only addressed to Member of the Commission but to all countries involved in the different fisheries. Data submitted by the countries must conform to the minimum mandatory data requirements and they are subject to the rules of confidentiality adopted by the Commission:
The standards for the reporting of scientific data to the IOTC are defined in various IOTC Resolutions. A detailed description of the types of data to report and standards that apply in each case can be found in the guidelines for the reporting of data to the IOTC. The Guidelines for the reporting of fisheries statistics to the IOTC are based on the existing IOTC Data Requirements and are intended to help the reporting of data to the IOTC.
The forms for the submission of fisheries statistics to the IOTC are available as Excel template forms to simplify the process of entering and submitting the data. This format allows the reporting officer to enter the data directly on the form for later submission by e-mail to the IOTC Secretariat. Please, refer to the notes for the completion of IOTC forms for details on how to use the forms.
The IOTC Secretariat receives data from the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme, environmental data, and information on vessels that catch IOTC species in the IOTC area of competence and the activities of those vessels.