Recent events of note include:-

• Completion of a performance review of the CCSBT, comprising a self assessment and a review of the self assessment by an independent expert. The CCSBT has commenced addressing the issues raised in the review.
• Agreement to implement new Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) measures for the southern bluefin tuna fishery. The principle measures include a Catch Documentation Scheme, a Transhipment Program and a Vessel Monitoring System.
• Agreement on a recommendation to mitigate the impact on ecologically related species of fishing for southern bluefin tuna.
• At its annual meeting in 2008. the CCSBT continued the agreement from 2006 which set a 3 year total allowable catch of 11,810 tonnes, which is a TAC reduction of 3,115 tonnes. In addition, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea have undertaken to maintain their actual catch below 1,000 tonnes for a minimum of 3 years from 2006, giving a total actual catch level that should be below 11,530 tonnes for a 3 year period.
• Indonesia became a Member of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna on 8 April 2008.
• The total number of fish tagged in the CCSBT tagging program is now 79,404, with 9,279 recaptures having been reported as at October 2008. Recoveries of tags from all components of the SBT fishery are continuing.

Publicity material for the CCSBT tagging program has been placed at ports and on vessels targeting SBT. REWARDS will be paid for tags returned to the CCSBT or the member's fishing authorities nominated on the reward posters. Participants in the SBT fishery are asked to cooperate and return the tags. It is very important to understanding the fishery, which sustains a large industry and supports many communities.