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PANEL 4 REPORT
REPORT OF THE MEETING OF PANEL 4
1. Opening of the meeting
The meeting of Pane1 4 was opened by the Chair, Ms. Mariam McCall (United States) who welcomed the Panel
Members and observers. In the interest of time, it was requested that opening statements be submitted in writing
No opening statements were presented.
2. Adoption of Agenda
The Agenda was adopted without change (Appendix 1 to ANNEX 8).
The Delegate of the United States expressed interest in discussing sharks under “Other matters” and the Chair
supported that suggestion.
3. Appointment of Rapporteur
Ms. Catherine Ware (United States) was appointed Rapporteur for Pane1 4.
4. Review of Panel membership
Panel 4 is comprised of 22 Contracting Parties: Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Canada, China, Cote d'Ivoire, European
Community, France (St. Pierre & Miquelon), Gabon, Japan, Korea (Rep.), Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia,
South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom (Overseas Territories), United States, Uruguay and
Venezuela. Venezuela was not present at this meeting.
5. Report of the Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS)
Dr. Joao Pereira, the Chairman of the SCRS, summarized the sections of the SCRS relevant to Pane1 4.
5.1 Atlantic bonito
This species was considered under section 5.4.
5.2 Swordfish
The SCRS Chairman noted that in 2003 a new stock assessment had been conducted for Mediterranean
swordfish. The SCRS Chairman also referred to the Committee’s recommendation to hold a comprehensive
symposium on swordfish stock structure in late 2004 or early 2005.
State of the North Atlantic and South Atlantic swordfish stock
There were no new stock assessments conducted in 2003 for North or South Atlantic swordfish. However, there
is new information in the SCRS report on the status of the fisheries. The reported landings provide only
minimum estimates. The SCRS did not estimate unreported landings of swordfish from illegal, unregulated and
unreported (IUU) fishing. In the North Atlantic, preliminary estimates of catches in 2002 were 9,607 t. In the
South Atlantic in 2002 the reported catch of 13,569 t is similar to the 2001 level.
The SCRS Chairman referred to the recommendation made by the SCRS to delay the North Atlantic swordfish
stock assessment unti1 2006 due to the Committee's heavy workload over the next two years. In response to a
question regarding whether there is an increased risk if the assessment is postponed, the SCRS Chairman
responded that even when assessments are not performed, all available information is reviewed and the scientists
present many documents analyzing biological data and CPUE. If there are any significant signs of change, the
SCRS will alert the Commission to the urgent need of an assessment.
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