Changes from plenary report to adopted text

Added(20) EM service provider means a third-party provider of EM equipment (and/or system), technical and logistical services to maintain the EM equipment and monitor its proper functioning.

AddedEM Systems (EMS)

AddedEMS shall be approved and accredited by an appropriate IOTC body (e.g. IOTC Ad hoc Working Group on the Development of Electronic Monitoring Programme Standards, IOTC Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics (WPDCS)) or Member States to ensure that the minimum standards of the REMP (and ROS) are met, including EM equipment installation (through an EM Vessel Monitoring Plan), collection of data consistent with ROS minimum data standards, EM records reviewed by accredited companies/organisations and independence of EMS are maintained. In case that IOTC approved the EMS, the Member State shall submit to the Commission copies of each vessel’s VMP and the Commission will present to the Scientific Committee, as an annex to the EU Reports to the Scientific Committee, a fleet level overview of the EU VMPs.

AddedData:

AddedEM data submitted by Regional or National EMPs are subject to Resolution 12/02 On data confidentiality policy and procedures concerning the requirements for sharing data in the public domain (e.g. the level of stratification to apply in order to prevent activity from a single vessel to be clearly identified from the published data) and the procedures for the safeguard of records.

AddedEM data collected via EM shall be provided in compliance with the requirements established by the IOTC in Resolution 15/01 On the recording of catch and effort data by fishing vessels in the IOTC area of competence, Resolution 15/02 On mandatory statistical reporting requirements for IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CPCs) and IOTC Observer Resolution on Regional Observer Scheme.

AddedEM data shall be submitted to IOTC in accordance with the electronic data format specifications provided by the IOTC Secretariat and adopted by the IOTC, in order for data to be incorporated in the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme database. The EM data shall be properly marked in the database to be distinguished from data collected through onboard human observers.

AddedOperationalising IOTC’s REMP – Accreditation and Auditing of National EMPs

AddedMember States shall request the Commission to apply to the IOTC Secretariat to have its own National EM Programme recognised as part of IOTC’s REMP so as to comply with ROS data minimum standards.

AddedIOTC shall audit the National EM Programmes against the EM minimum standards.

AddedNational EM Programmes shall be reviewed and subject to regular and periodic audits as agreed by the IOTC.

AddedIOTC could authorise National EM Programmes approved by other tuna RFMOs.

AddedPART 2: IOTC electronic monitoring system and data standards

Added(1) EM TECHNICAL MINIMUM STANDARDS

AddedThe Technical Minimum Standards shall describe the requirements of the EM. Member States shall ensure all EM equipment installed in their national or subregional programmes are consistent with these technical specifications.

AddedCustomised to vessel level: there is no standard configuration that will cover all vessels from fleets operating in the Indian Ocean region, therefore each EM equipment installation must be customised at the vessel level. An EM equipment to be installed on board of a fishing vessel shall consist of a control system connecting a number of cameras, and optionally to a number of different sensors, to collect and record images to address the objectives of the EM Programme. The number of cameras and sensors shall be tailored to each vessel through a Vessel Monitoring Plan to meet overall objectives of the programme rather than being too prescriptive, and shall include a sufficient number of cameras. Although it will depend on the configuration of each particular vessel, as a general setup, cameras shall capture the areas and activities provided in Tables 1 and 2 and Figures 1 to 3 of Part 3 of this Annex . Each vessel shall develop a “Vessel Monitoring Plan” specifying how many and where the cameras are located, and their settings, to collect the required ROS minimum “mandatory” data fields. The collection of some of the required ROS minimum data standards may be complemented by port sampling and/or other data collection methods as described in the IOTC Regional Observer Scheme Data Collection Field. Within a given EM programme, a certain level of harmonisation among vessels may also be necessary (camera placement and settings).

AddedInclude sensor/automatic devices: since EM records require large storage capacities, most EMS do not record vessel activities on a full-time basis. The recording by some cameras may be triggered by the detection of gear usage or fishing activity. EMS may therefore include sensors, and other procedures (Computer Vision, Artificial Intelligence), to detect when fishing or other activities of interest occur on board. This will ensure proper EM record acquisition (e.g. trigger video recording when fishing operation starts) and facilitate EM record reviewing.

AddedInclude Global Positioning System (GPS): this is required to monitor vessel position, route, speed and provide information on date/time and location of fishing activities. Fishing vessel position and date/time stamps shall be incorporated directly on images or in the metadata of images.

AddedCompatibility: the EMS should ideally be capable of integrating with other Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) tools (e.g. Vessel Monitoring System).

AddedRobust System: the EM equipment components installed outdoors (such as cameras/camera housing and sensors) shall be capable of resisting rough conditions at-sea and harsh environment on board the vessels.

AddedSecure System: the EM equipment components and data need to be tamper-resistant and tamper-evident, ideally using encrypted data, such that attempts at unauthorised modifications are not possible.

AddedCameras: digital, high-resolution when possible, cameras covering all areas of interest on the vessel according to the vessel and fishing operations are recommended. Camera placement, settings and recording must assure the detection of vessel activities, catch and bycatch species, and enable accurate species identification (at least for all species under the IOTC mandate). The system shall be able to record activities in low and very bright natural light conditions (low and high contrasts). The cameras must be water resistant and in a self-contained, weather resistant box.

AddedEM records: EM records shall contain the following information: EM record file name including, at a minimum, the vessel name and vessel ID, camera ID, trip ID, geolocation data (date, time (UTC), latitude and longitude), camera recording status, EM health status (when available), images, and sensor data when used.

AddedIndependence: the system needs to be self-governing with the exception of minimal maintenance by the crew (e.g. cleaning sensors and cameras). The system may include remote verification of its functionality in real time to collect all information. A designated person shall ensure that the system is working properly before leaving port and at sea, and there shall be a protocol (checklist) for that purpose.

AddedNo interference: EM equipment shall not generate or cause radio frequency interference with other on-board vessel communication, navigation, safety, geolocation devices (e.g. VMS) or fishing equipment.

AddedAutonomy: the EM equipment shall have its own uninterruptible power supply or be connected to that of the vessel to ensure that it can work even in the event of a vessel power outage. The EM equipment shall include separate, duplicate backup devices to ensure that data are not lost if a storage device fails.

AddedEM Data storage autonomy: the EM equipment shall have enough storage capacity to store all EM records for a certain period of time, which shall be at minimum a complete trip. The duration will depend on the vessel’s operational characteristics that could range from 4 months (in the case of purse-seiners) to 12 months or more (in the case of longliners).

AddedInteroperability: EMS ideally shall generate EM records that are interoperable between different EM service and review providers and, where possible, integrate with other data collection and monitoring tools.

AddedMaintenance: a designated person on board (and/or on land) shall be designated to maintain the equipment (e.g. cleaning of lenses, etc.) and report to the EM equipment provider and the competent authority (e.g. IOTC or flag state) when the system is malfunctioning at port or at sea so the system is fixed as soon as possible, and shall record any failure of the EM equipment in a dedicated form.

Added(2) EM LOGISTICAL MINIMUM STANDARDS

AddedEM records retrieval: the EM records shall be transmitted via mobile networks, Wi-Fi, or satellite, or storage device (i.e., SSD or HDD) exchange. For the latter, a protocol to recover and send the storage devices to the designated EM review centre shall also be implemented.

AddedEM record storage: EM records shall be stored by the vessel/company/EM service provider/EM review provider/EM programme administrator for at least 1 year or for the period established in the national/regional EM programmes.

AddedEM records backup: if EM records are automatically transmitted electronically, operational procedures for their receipt and backup shall be implemented taking into account any necessary chain of custody arrangements.

AddedStorage device chain of custody: the EMS must ensure traceability of every storage device and of EM records. The chain of custody of the EMS storage devices and EM records shall be assured.

AddedFrequency: EM programmes shall include requirements on the method and frequency (e.g. after each trip) of EM records transmission to EM review centres, that shall be consistent with the minimum standards established by the Member State, the EU or IOTC.

Added(3) EM DATA REVIEW MINIMUM STANDARDS

AddedEM review software: EMS shall include software to facilitate the review of EM records and to produce EM data that will allow compiling and reporting in an IOTC common output format for exchange/submission to IOTC. Ideally, EM review software can be used to review EM records collected from different EM equipment providers.

AddedEM review and EM data reporting: EM records reviewing and EM data reporting shall be done by institutions, organisations and independent companies with proven expertise and experience (e.g. work experience with onboard observers). These tasks can be centralised in a “regional EM review centre” when implementing a regional programme and/or can be carried out by national or independent organisations.

AddedEM records and EM data quality check: the reviewing process of EM records shall include quality controls through EM records quality check, EM data entry checks, possible automatic error identification in EM data (e.g. incorrect fishing set positions on land, etc), debriefing of EM observers. The produced EM data shall be checked prior to reporting to the IOTC Secretariat.

AddedEM data: EMS shall allow collecting and reporting, at a minimum, the ROS Minimum Standard Data Fields. EM data shall be submitted to the IOTC Secretariat using IOTC standard forms according to the time frame specified in Resolution 22/04, or any Resolution superseding it. Data confidentiality requirements outlined in Resolution 12/02, Data Confidentiality Policy and Procedures, or any Resolution superseding them, shall apply to all EM data submitted to the IOTC Secretariat.

AddedEM observers’ training: EM observers must have specific qualifications relating to EM record review, which shall be integrated into the regional or national EM programme standards. The EM observer shall participate in specialised training courses that shall be updated upon modification of the EM review protocol to ensure EM data high-quality standards.

AddedEM observers’ qualifications: EM observers must have the ability to review EM records and produce EM data according to IOTC requirements. EM observers shall be familiar with fishing activities and be capable of identifying (i) IOTC species and species of special interest, (ii) IOTC fishing methods, and (iii) IOTC mitigation methods.

AddedCompatibility with ongoing standardised data flow and databases: EM data shall have compatible output format (including usage of standardised, well-established code lists) to allow the exchange of collected information with current IOTC data reporting format and standards, and shall be consistent with IOTC data rules. EM data shall be submitted in an approved electronic data reporting format to the IOTC Secretariat, using IOTC standard codes and units.

AddedData storage and retention: legal provisions on data protection, storage, and retention by IOTC shall be developed and agreed upon, whether for a REMP or EM National Programmes.

AddedEM records ownership: EM records ownership is of the vessel owner/flag state but shall provide IOTC with the EM data outputs to incorporate in the IOTC database for use, analysis, and disposal as required by the IOTC observers Resolution on Regional Observer Scheme.

AddedHardware/software ownership: irrespective of the scope of the EM programme, it is recommended that hardware and software license ownership (and maintenance) be of the vessel owner/flag state.

AddedPart 3: Vessel monitoring plans (VMP)

AddedEach vessel shall develop a “Vessel Monitoring Plan” so as to describe the numbers of cameras located to collect the required ROS minimum data fields, position and settings, and key areas to be monitored for fishing activities, catch handling, species identification, fate and storage of the individuals. The VMP shall be developed in collaboration between the EM service provider, vessel owner and fishing authorities.

AddedVMPs shall be signed-off by the vessel owner and finally approved by the flag Member State competent authority, after which they are presented to the WGEMS/WPDCS to ensure they meet IOTC REMP Programme and EM System and Data Standards.

AddedEach VMP shall include information on:

Added- Contact information: contact information for the vessel owner, vessel operator and EM service provider as long as the contract lasts;

Added- General vessel information: basic information about the vessel and its fishing activities and operations (e.g. vessel name, registration number, target species, areas, fishing gear, length overall);

Added- Vessel layout: equipment of the vessel with detailed information, plan of the vessel disposition and different areas (decks, processing area, storage, etc.);

Added- EM equipment setup: description of the settings of the EM equipment, such as time running, number of cameras and areas covered, time recording for each of the cameras, number and position of sensors (if any), software used, control box location, procedures for checking the proper functioning of the EM equipment installed onboard, etc.

Added- A snapshot of each camera shall be inserted in the VMP;

Added- A record on each vessel of the vessel’s EM equipment characteristics and how the vessel’s EM equipment is optimised to meet the EM System and Data Standards.

AddedOn purse-seine vessels, the minimum areas that cameras are recommended to cover:

Added- the working deck (both port and starboard sides);

Added- the net sack and the brailer;

Added- the foredeck or amidships (e.g. FAD activity);