E - Iccat

PWG REPORT
For your information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management Recommendations and
Resolutions. It includes a new instrument entitled Resolution by ICCAT Concerning Trade Measures [Ref. 03-
15], adopted by ICCAT at its 2003 meeting. While similar in principle to other measures adopted by ICCAT in
the past, the 2003 Resolution both broadens the scope of ICCAT´s trade regime and establishes a more
transparent process for the application of trade restrictive measures. In addition, paragraph 10 of this document
contains a new element that allows for expedited implementation of trade restrictive measures under certain
circumstances. The Commission will use this new Resolution for the first time in 2004 to guide its review of
fishery related activities in the Convention area.
With regard to your request for Cooperating Status, the Commission determined that it was premature to take a
decision on this matter and deferred the issue for consideration at the 2004 ICCAT meeting. At that time, the
trade restrictive measures on Belize will have been lifted for almost one year and the Commission will be in a
better position to assess the effectiveness of Belize’s MCS measures. In this regard, I would draw your attention
to the document adopted in 2003 entitled Recommendation by ICCAT on Criteria for Attaining the Status of
Cooperating Non-Contracting Party, Entity, or Fishing Entity in ICCAT [Ref. 03-20], which is included in the
attached Compendium. This measure clarifies the process for granting such status and specifies the information
that must be provided by applicants to receive consideration. In support of the Commission’s review of requests
for cooperating status under the new recommendation, I would ask that Belize write to ICCAT as soon as
feasible confirming its continued interest in receiving Cooperating Status and addressing directly the information
requirements contained in paragraphs 3 and 4 of said recommendation.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. Please accept assurances of my highest consideration.
5.2 Letter to Bolivia: Regarding continuance of bigeye tuna trade restrictive measures and revocation of
swordfish identification
I am writing to inform you that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
decided to maintain the trade restrictive measures adopted in 2002in accordance with the 1998 Resolution
Concerning the Unreported and Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-Scale Longline Vessels in the
Convention Area [Ref. 98-18] in 2002 on bigeye tuna and its products from Bolivia. As explained in previous
communications, the Commission reviews annually fishery related information for the Convention area relative
to both ICCAT members and non-members. During its 2003 review, the Commission received information that
large-scale tuna longline vessels flagged to Bolivia have continued to operate in the Convention area. Attached
please find a copy of the 2003 ICCAT “List of Large-Scale Longline Vessels Believed to be Engaged in Illegal,
Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Activities in the ICCAT Convention Area and Other Areas”.
This information together with the high level of Atlantic bigeye tuna harvests (as indicated by trade data from
2001 and 2002) and the lack of response from your government to communications requesting Bolivia to rectify
the activities of its flag vessels and to take other steps to cooperate with ICCAT, led the Commission to conclude
that it would not be appropriate to lift the bigeye tuna trade restrictions in place against your country. The
Commission did decide, however, that the imposition of swordfish trade restrictive measures against Bolivia was
not warranted at this time as trade data indicated relatively small amo unts of harvest for 2001 and no harvests for
2002 or 2003. Thus, Bolivia’s identification status relative to swordfish was revoked.
The Commission again requests the Government of Bolivia to take the necessary actions to rectify the fishing
activities of its vessels and to fully implement ICCAT´s conservation and management measures, including
instituting measures to ensure appropriate monitoring, control, and surveillance of its fleet and reporting catch
and effort data to the Commission. Rectifying actions --including, as necessary, the revocation of registrations or
fishing licenses of those vessels on the enclosed list-- should be reported to the Commission. Information
concerning actions taken by Bolivia with regard to these matters should be submitted to the Commission at least
30 days prior to its next meeting, scheduled for November 15-21, 2004, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
For your information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management Recommendations and
Resolutions. It includes a new instrument entitled Resolution by ICCAT Concerning Trade Measures [Ref. 03-
15], adopted by the Commission at its 2003 meeting. The 2003 resolution both broadens the scope of ICCAT´s
existing trade regime and establishes a more transparent process for the application of trade restrictive measures.
The Commission will use this new resolution for the first time in 2004 to guide its review of fishery related
activities in the Convention area and the information requested above will be valuable to the Commission when
it considers trade related matters relative to Bolivia pursuant to this review. Although the 2003 resolution will
replace the 1998 Resolution Concerning the Unreported and Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-Scale
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