This document reports on an e-MARIS consolidation and validation workshop on the development of the Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Information System (e-MARIS) initiative. The workshop was held in Cape Town South Africa in October 2017. the document also includes recommendations from the experts attending the workshop, that will serve as basis for further work on the development and implementation of the system.

The main aim of this workshop was capacity building of the national observers responsible for collecting data onboard tuna longline vessels operating out of the Republic of Namibia. In many observer programmes, including in Namibia, observers traditionally collect fisheries data only, and have little understanding or training in bycatch-related data collection. This workshop provided training in the use of best practice seabird bycatch mitigation measures and seabird data collection to enhance and accelerate uptake of these measures by fleets operating in critical fishing areas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

In March 2017, the Tuna Compliance Network (TCN) was set up to facilitate communication and cooperation between officers responsible for compliance and experts in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS). Its main objective is to share best practice compliance processes associated mainly with tuna RFMOs and, therefore contribute to combating IUU fishing in tuna fisheries. The TCN is supported by the International MCS Network, the Common Oceans ABNJ Tuna Project that is funded by GEF and implemented by UN-FAO, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and other partners.

The workshop was designed to give a broad understanding of the Common Oceans Tuna Project, an introduction to what is required by the tRFMOs in terms of seabird bycatch mitigation measures and reporting requirements, as well as current research available for each measure.

Report of the Third Project Steering Committee: Sustainable Management of Tuna Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation in the ABNJ, Rome, Italy, 6-8 July 2016.