SIOFA observer manual workshop (WS2026-OBS)

The SIOFA Scientific Committee (SC) is tasked to provide fisheries management advice to the SIOFA Meeting of the Parties (MoP). In recent years, SIOFA implemented a series of projects and workshops which contributed to the harmonization of the observer framework. Project SEC2022-OBS1 (2024) constituted the backbone of these efforts, producing observer logbook forms and recommendations which were picked up in workshop WS2024-OBS (2024) and workshop WS2024-OBS2 (2024). These efforts culminated in a dense observer-related agenda item at the 10th annual meeting of the SIOFA SC (2025). SC10 identified as a next step in this process the development of detailed biological sampling requirements for primary and secondary species in all SIOFA fisheries. Project OBS-2025-01 started in 2025 with the aim to produce an observer manual which must cover sampling of “fish” (Chondrichthyes and bony fishes), crustaceans and molluscs, as well as VME indicator taxa. A paragraph explaining the context, why observers are asked to collect this information and how it is used shall be included in every chapter. The purpose of the WS2026-OBS workshop is to discuss the final report of Project OBS-2025-01: Development of a SIOFA Scientific Observer Data Collection Manual which will be available in June 2026, with particular regard to the formatting issues that arose during the SC11 discussions.

The Workshop will be held Tuesday 08 December 2026 between 07:00 AM UTC and 11:00 AM UTC

Objectives: 
Evaluate the needs regarding format of the proposed observer manual from project OBS-2025-01

1. What is the intended format of the SIOFA Scientific Observer Data Collection Manual, an e-manual (interactive digital manual) or a PDF manual?
2. If it is an e-manual, where will it be uploaded, the SIOFA Secretariat website or a learning management platform (e.g., Moodle)?
3. If it is an e-manual, who will upload it, when, how, and what are the current personnel, budget, and time constraints?
    

Conveners: Nicolas Gasco and Charlotte Chazeau (FR-OT)