A Special Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (SS6) was held 3-5 February 2023 (Kenya), with the stated objective “the aim of the Special Session is to adopt a conservation and management measure on Fish Aggregating Devices”. This followed inaction on the issue at the 26th Session in May 2022. The 6th Special Session (IOTC Circular 2023-09) adopted Resolution 23-01 On management of Anchored Fish Aggregating Devices (AFADs) and Resolution 23-02 On Management of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (DFADs) in the IOTC area of competence, the latter adopted by a two-thirds majority vote.
Pursuant to Article IX of the IOTC Agreement, a number of Members have since formally objected to Resolution 23-02, namely Comoros (IOTC Circular 2023-11), Seychelles (IOTC Circular 2023-19), European Union (IOTC Circular 2023-26), Oman (IOTC Circular 2023-12), Philippines (IOTC Circular 2023-20), Kenya (IOTC Circular 2023-14), and Somalia (IOTC Circular 2023-18; IOTC Circular 2023-22 objection since withdrawn). In response to some of the statements made on Resolution 23-02, Indonesia circulated a statement “countering the misinterpretation of Resolution 23-02”, its statement representing a shared understanding by “a number” of the other Resolution 23-02 co-sponsoring states (IOTC Circular 2023-24).
De Maribus 