Summary of 9th Regular Session of Scientific Committee

The Ninth Regular Session of the Scientific Committee (SC9) was held in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia from 6–14 August 2013. Mr Ludwig Kumoru from Papua New Guinea chaired the meeting.

SC9 reviewed 2012 tuna fisheries in the Convention Area, where the provisional total tuna catch for 2012 was estimated at 2,613,528 mt, the highest on record. The Committee reviewed the results of stock assessments on Pacific bluefin tuna, silky shark, blue shark, South Pacific swordfish, and Pacific blue marlin and provided management advice as required. The Committee also reviewed fisheries science data gaps in the Commission; specific limit reference points for key tuna species, and provided recommendations on the Conservation and Management Measure for Bigeye, Yellowfin and Skipjack; and ecosystem and bycatch mitigation.

In total, USD 1.254 million was proposed for scientific activities in 2014 and Republic of Marshall Islands offered to host SC10 in Majuro.