E - Iccat

PANEL 1 REPORT
In response to a question from the Delegate of Mexico, the SCRS Chairman replied that catches of juveniles
(ages 0+1) are very high for both yellowfin and bigeye tunas. This may be a result of changes in the fishery
where effort has shifted to deeper waters. Whereas moratoria are in place to reduce catches of juvenile bigeye
tuna, those measures were not designed for yellowfin tuna.
The Delegate of Canada indicated that although it has modest fisheries for bigeye and yellowfin, it has up to
20% at-sea observer coverage and 100% dockside monitoring. Canada expressed concern about the juvenile
catches and the uncertainties raised through the use of assumptions in the assessment process.
The Delegate of the European Community advised the Panel that the EC submits complete sampling data. The
Delegate indicated that the EC wishes to pursue discussion on minimum sizes as existing measures, for instance
the 15% allowance for bigeye and yellowfin under 3.2 kg may be unrealistic and undermine other measures such
as moratoria.
The Delegate of Brazil expressed optimism about reductions in IUU effort and concern about the 3.2 kg
minimum for bigeye and yellowfin. The United States suggested consideration of alternative measures, such as
time/area closures, to address the overall issue.
The Observer of Chinese Taipei questioned whether catches for all its vessels with certificates were taken into
consideration in the SCRS Report. It stated that this catch may be around 2,000 t for 2002 and that it has
submitted a report to the appropriate committee.
The Observer of Chinese Taipei reported that of the 159 former IUU vessels eliminated under the joint efforts of
Chinese Taipei and Japan, 13 have been operating in the Atlantic Ocean. He referred to Resolution [Ref 01-23]
which permitted importing countries to accept documents validated by Chinese Taipei on the bigeye caught by
those vessels pending completion of re-registration, which complied with ICCAT conservation and management
measures, and that they requested an additional quota of 2,000t.
The Delegate of Ghana noted that species separation of juvenile bigeye and yellowfin is almost impossible
without examination of livers. He questioned the accuracy of assessment data and asked for more detail on
previously mentioned data problems. He added that whereas other nations have highly mobile fleets, their
vessels have few options other than their adjacent waters. The Delegate of the European Community replied that
Ghana has failed to respect ICCAT measures, has increased effort and has ignored moratoria.
6. Measures for the conservation of stocks and implementation of ICCAT Criteria for the Allocation
of Fishing Possibilities
The Delegate of Japan introduced a draft recommendation on bigeye tuna conservation measures. He outlined
that since there was no consensus on long-term measures, it was agreed to rollover the existing bigeye
conservation measures and hold further discussions on a multi-year plan after the results of the BEYTP
Symposium in Madrid in March 2004.
The Delegate of the European Community noted that while it was the EC’s objective to develop a multi-year
plan on fishing levels and vessel capacity as well as to assess the effectiveness of existing conservation
measures, the EC concurred with the short-term approach in consideration of the commitment to review the
matter further after the March meeting in Madrid.
The Delegate of the European Community requested the deletion of the last sentence in the draft
recommendation in respect to an SCRS analysis of the effectiveness of current minimum size measures. The EC
felt it more appropriate to give the SCRS the discretion to conduct such an analysis. After some debate, the Panel
agreed to make this change.
The Delegate of the People’s Republic of China stated that whereas there were alleged links between their
vessels and IUU activities, China has investigated the issue, taken corrective action where necessary, and now
issue certificates for vessels attesting to their non-association with IUU fishing. The Delegate also pointed to
discrepancies between China’s catch rates and those of other Parties and requested equal treatment of Chinese
vessels. Finally, China agreed to adopt the draft recommendation provided that the People’s Republic China’s
quota needs will be considered in the development of any new multi-year agreement.
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