It is important that the main tasks of the NTDC are clearly identified and assigned to someone in the Fisheries Department as a matter of priority. In most countries and territories the NTDC will be a full-time position, but in others the NTDC can be seen as a combination of tasks that have been assigned to one person, who may also have other duties.
The Pacific Islands Oceanic Project (GEF) was the main sponsor of the 2nd Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-2) which took place at the SPC headquarters from the 7th to 11th of April.Participants from 15 FFA member states, two French territories and the Philippines took part in the workshop.The main aim of the workshop was to acquaint the group with the best methods for preparing annual catch estimates and to share experiences of managing tuna data.
The collection, management and reporting of data is an important foundation for managing the world’s largest tuna fisheries. In recognition of the importance of this work GEF funding was used to run a Tuna Data Workshop (TDW-1) at SPC, New Caledonia. The workshop was aimed at National Tuna Data Coordinators who are employed in each of the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs). Additional co-funding was supplied by the EU under its PROC FISH project This, the first data workshop, concentrated on the collection and management of tuna fishery data.
The assessment of needs conducted by the national missions showed that the most important short-term priority for Pacific SIDS in meeting their obligations as Members of the WCPF Commission is the enhancement of their capacities to monitor oceanic fisheries activities for which they are responsible.
