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10-08

Recommendation by ICCAT on Hammerhead Sharks (Family Sphyrnidae) Caught in Association with Fisheries Managed by ICCAT

Treaty
International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Meeting
17th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Type
Recommendation
Status
Active

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Keywords
Fishery, Species, Institutions, Reporting

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10-08
Recommendation by ICCAT on Hammerhead Sharks (Family Sphyrnidae) Caught in Association with Fisheries Managed by ICCAT
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RECALLING that the Commission adopted the Resolution by ICCAT on Atlantic Sharks [Res. 01-11], the Recommendation by ICCAT Concerning the Conservation of Sharks caught in Association with Fisheries Managed by ICCAT [Rec. 04-10], the Recommendation by ICCAT to Amend the Recommendation 04-10 on the Conservation of Sharks Caught in Association with the Fisheries Managed of ICCAT [Rec. 05-051] and the Supplemental Recommendation by ICCAT Concerning Sharks [Rec. 07-06].1Recommendation 05-05 was replaced by Recommendation 14-06.
NOTING that Sphyrna lewini and Sphyrna zygaena are among the shark species for which there are sustainability concerns.
CONSIDERING that it is difficult to differentiate between the various species of hammerhead sharks except for the bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) without taking them on board and that such action might jeopardize the survival of the captured individuals.
RECALLING the need to annually report Task I and Task II for catches of sharks in conformity with the Recommendation by ICCAT Concerning the Conservation of Sharks Caught in Association with Fisheries Managed by ICCAT [Rec. 04-10];
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommends that:
1.Contracting Parties, and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties, Entities or Fishing Entities (hereafter referred to as CPCs) shall prohibit retaining onboard, transshipping, landing, storing, selling, or offering for sale any part or whole carcass of hammerhead sharks of the family Sphyrnidae (except for the Sphyrna tiburo), taken in the Convention area in association with ICCAT fisheries.
2.CPCs shall require vessels flying their flag, to promptly release unharmed, to the extent practicable, hammerhead sharks when brought alongside the vessel.
3.Hammerhead sharks that are caught by developing coastal CPCs for local consumption are exempted from the measures established in paragraphs 1 and 2, provided these CPCs submit Task I and, if possible, Task II data according to the reporting procedures established by the SCRS. If it is not possible to provide catch data by species, they shall be provided at least by genus Sphryna. Developing coastal CPCs exempted from this prohibition pursuant to this paragraph should endeavor not to increase their catches of hammerhead sharks. Such CPCs shall take necessary measures to ensure that hammerhead sharks of the family Sphyrnidae (except of Sphyrna tiburo) will not enter international trade and shall notify the Commission of such measures.
4.CPCs shall require that the number of discards and releases of hammerhead sharks are recorded with indication of status (dead or alive) and reported to ICCAT in accordance with ICCAT data reporting requirements.
5.CPCs shall, where possible, implement research on hammerhead sharks in the Convention area in order to identify potential nursery areas. Based on this research, CPCs shall consider time and area closures and other measures, as appropriate.
6.As appropriate, the Commission and its CPCs should, individually and collectively, engage in capacity building efforts and other cooperative activities to support the effective implementation of this Recommendation, including entering into cooperative arrangements with other appropriate international bodies.