E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
5.Review of cooperation by non-Contracting Parties, Entities or Fishing Entities and determination of
needed actions
5.1 Bluefin Tuna [Ref. 94-03] and Swordfish Action Plans [Ref. 95-13], and Resolution Concerning
Unreported and Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-scale Longline Vessels in the Convention Area
[Ref. 98-18]
The Chair introduced the working document, “Summary of Historical Actions Taken by the Commission,”
noting its usefulness in the 2002 Working Group discussions. The Delegate of the EC commented that he found
this summary document very useful and requested that it be appended to this report. There was consensus on this
point among all the Parties, and the document is attached as Appendix 2 to ANNEX 10.
The Delegate from Japan introduced a document to amend the Resolution by ICCAT concerning the Unreported
and Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-scale Longline Vessels in the Convention Area and Other Areas
[Ref. 98-18] (UU Catches Resolution) by including vessels using gears other than pelagic longline. It was
emphasized that these changes were relatively minor. The Delegate of Canada expressed support for the
proposal, but had two comments: (1) that the change should also result in a new title for the resolution to reflect
the change in scope, and (2) that the change in the text to “vessel” applied only to fishing vessels. Action relative
to Japan’s proposal was deferred pending the outcome of discussions concerning a trade-related measure that
would supercede the UU Catches Resolution. At a later session, the Delegate of Japan withdrew the proposed
amendment to the UU Catches Resolution in light of progress on this new trade-related instrument.
5.1.1 Responses to Commission letters
The Chair reviewed the responses to the letters sent via the Secretariat on behalf of the Commission, most of
which had been compiled into one document 1 . It was noted that several letters from non-Contracting Parties were
submitted after the preparation of the document and had been circulated separately. Also, additional information
was available from documents such as the annual National Reports and opening statements.
5.1.2 Catch and trade information, vessel sighting reports, other information
The Assistant Executive Secretary presented the draft 2003 IUU vessel list to the Working Group for discussion.
The Parties thanked the Secretariat for its efforts regarding this list.
Several Contracting Parties, including Vanuatu and South Africa, drew attention to possible errors in the 2003
list. The Delegates of Brazil, the EC, Belize, and Chinese Taipei also argued for the inclusion or exclusion of
vessels on this list. Given the potential for lengthy corrections on the floor, the Chair requested that all changes
to the draft list be coordinated with the Secretariat prior to the release of the next version.
Several questions were raised regarding the criteria that Japan had used to determine IUU status for certain
vessels. Specifically, the Delegates discussed the example of an IUU vessel allegedly flagged to St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, and raised the question of whether any vessel fishing in the Convention area while the country
was under sanction was automatically an IUU vessel. The Observer from St. Vincent and the Grenadines
commented that the vessel in question was properly permitted and licensed by his government, so there was no
illegal activity. The Delegate of Brazil also noted that the one reported sighting of this vessel occurred in
January, prior to the effective date of the current IUU list Recommendation. He cautioned the Commission to be
very careful about any decisions on vessel listings.
The Delegate from Japan expressed his willingness to work with other delegations on specific vessels in
question, but he noted that the larger concern was that there be no increase in fishing effort in the Atlantic, even
with re -flagging. The Delegate of the EC noted that while limiting effort in the Atlantic was a worthy goal,
transferring that latent effort to other oceans was not a good solution. The EC Delegate further commented that
the rules regarding vessel owners would be clarified, but that the Commission must remember to examine such
issues from a global perspective.
The Delegate from the People’s Republic of China noted that leaving some categories on the IUU list empty,
such as current flag/registry, made it difficult to address problem vessels. Additionally, he commented that the
list needed to be continuously updated given the relatively large number of IUU vessels.
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