IOTC Collection and Reporting Forms for the Regional Observer Scheme

Forms developed by the IOTC Secretariat in 2015 to support the collection of catch and fisheries data by scientific observers under the Regional Observer Scheme (ROS), and for reporting to the IOTC. The forms are available in English. This deposit contains the official reporting forms for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Regional Observer Scheme, developed to standardise the collection of data by observers onboard fishing vessels and the subsequent reporting to the IOTC. The forms are designed to ensure consistency and completeness of the information submitted to the IOTC Secretariat in line with IOTC Resolutions. In 2015, the IOTC released the second version of the ROS forms. This iteration includes both data collection forms for use onboard by observers and reporting forms to be completed by national administrations and/or scientific institutes responsible for observer programmes. The reporting forms must be submitted to the IOTC Secretariat as required under Resolution 09/04 and subsequent superseding resolutions. The collection forms mirror the structure and contents of the reporting forms. Compared with the original version, this iteration introduces new fields while also removing some existing ones. New fields on the data collection forms: GN – Net specifications LL – Bycatch mitigation measures, Branchline details, Bait details, Hook details PL – Bait details PS – Sampling details The forms are published on Zenodo to provide stable, versioned access and to facilitate reference through Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs). Each version is linked to the relevant IOTC code lists and reference data in use at the time of release. Contents The twelve data collection forms were designed for use onboard longline (LL), purse seine (PS), pole-and-line (PL), and gillnet (GN) vessels, with some applicable across gear types (‘GEN’ = generic): Form-ROS-1-GEN_collection: Vessel and trip information Form-ROS-2-GN_collection: Gear specifications Form-ROS-2-LL_collection: Gear specifications Form-ROS-2-PL_collection: Gear specifications Form-ROS-2-PS_collection: Gear specifications Form-ROS-3-GEN_collection: Surface fishery activity daily log (PS, PL, GN) Form-ROS-4-GN_collection: Fishing event - Gillnet Form-ROS-4-LL_collection: Fishing event - Longline Form-ROS-4-PL_collection: Fishing event – Pole-and-line Form-ROS-4-PS_collection: Fishing event – Purse seine Form-ROS-5-GEN_collection: Fishing/supply vessel sightings Form-ROS-6-GEN_collection: Transhipment The collection forms were created in Microsoft Publisher and are available in both .pub and .pdf formats, in English. The four data reporting forms were designed to be submitted to the IOTC Secretariat. Observer_report_template_GN: Gillnet fisheries Observer_report_template_LL: Longline fisheries Observer_report_template_PL: Pole-and-line fisheries Observer_report_template_PS: Purse seine fisheries These forms were created in .xlsx format, and are available in English.