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Determine whether tuna stocks in the eastern Pacific Ocean are fully fished or overfished, and whether increases in fishing capacity and/or fishing effort would threaten their conservation;

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Evaluate measures to prevent or eliminate overfishing and excess fishing capacity and to ensure that fishing effort is compatible with the sustainable use of the fish stocks covered by the IATTC Convention;

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Evaluate measures to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fish stocks covered by the IATTC Convention and to maintain or restore the harvested species at levels of abundance that will produce the maximum sustainable yield. 

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Carry out scientific research on the abundance, biology and biometry of fish stocks covered by the IATTC Convention and of associated or dependent species, and the effects of natural factors and human activities;

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In coordination with the bycatch program, develop conservation and management measures for species belonging to the same ecosystem that are affected by fishing for, or dependent on or associated with, the fish stocks covered by the IATTC Convention, in order to maintain or restore such species above sustainable levels.

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Develop standards for the collection, verification, exchange, and reporting of data on the fisheries covered by the IATTC Convention;

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Establish a comprehensive program for data collection and monitoring;

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In coordination with the IDCP, manage the on-board scientific observer program, the data collected by observers, and the activities of the field offices;

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Develop measures to avoid, reduce and minimize waste, discards, catch by lost or discarded fishing gear, catch of non-target species, and impacts on associated or dependent species, in particular endangered species;

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Develop measures to avoid, reduce and minimize the incidental mortality of dolphins associated with the tuna fishery.