Commission for the Conservation and ... - Site de la pêche

Having said that Chair, FFA members like others, have been signalling for sometime that the
pace of change we have instituted may not be sustainable in the long term. 2009 has been a
taxing year especially in trying to meet the burgeoning reporting requirements, attend to a
growing number of intersessional meetings, prepare proposals for the Commission and still find
time to implement decisions we have adopted. In this respect Chair, FFA members have no
intention of reducing the effectiveness of the Commission, but would like to see some
rationalisation of the meetings of the Commission, the consideration of its agenda items, and
work programme in order to manage this workload to allow greater focus on priority issues.
Although these have been discussed in the past, unfortunately almost all the issues canvassed by
the Commission have been identified as priority. FFA members sincerely believe that it is now
time for the Commission to be more discerning in the amount of work it assigns to its subsidiary
bodies and attempt to deal with issues in shorter meetings. We note that the development of a
Strategic Plan for the Commission would assist us in this regard.
We reiterate the importance of the full recognition of the special requirements of small island
developing States and territories, including Sovereignty and Sovereign Rights by the
Commission. Many of us continue to work hard towards expanding our fisheries-related
opportunities, and it is essential that the Commission supports and enhances that development.
Resolution 2008-01 provides an excellent basis for this consideration and we look forward to
hearing later how CCMs intend to implement it.
Chair, the priorities for this meeting revolve largely around the Commission‘s Monitoring
Control and Surveillance framework and we keenly anticipate resolving the long standing issues
of transhipment and charter notification while also finalising the excellent work of the data group
by adopting the rules and procedures it has developed. Finalising implementation details for the
Regional Observer Programme and Commission Vessel Monitoring System are also of key
importance for us, as is resolving the outstanding issue of non-CCM carriers and bunkers, and
ensuring the ongoing conservation of swordfish in the south Pacific.
Some of this MCS workload will continue into 2010 and this is necessary to support good
fisheries management. However, FFA members also note that there are several stocks in the
convention area that require our focus in the years to come. Not the least of these is bigeye tuna.
FFA members intend to develop a range of management measures that will ensure sustainability
of this and other stocks while protecting and enhancing our domestic development opportunities.
We look forward to the cooperation of others in that endeavour.
Chair, there is obviously a range of other important issues before us and we are committed to
moving though them in good faith with other CCMs under your esteemed leadership over the
next week.
Lastly, FFA members greeted the news of the impending departure of the Executive Director,
Andrew Wright, with a degree of sadness. Drew has been instrumental in building this
Commission from humble beginnings, and under his leadership, the Commission Secretariat has
managed to provide outstanding support to the Commission and you will be sorely missed. I‘m
sure more will be said on this matter, but needless to say both Drew and Andy Richards, who is
also departing, leave big shoes to be filled. FFA members look forward to the Secretariat
continuing to match the strong performance we have seen to date.
Thank you for allowing me to raise the issues about priorities for the Commission now and in the
future and we look forward to a good week.
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