E - Iccat

PWG REPORT
activities in the Convention area. The information requested above will be valuable to the Commission when it
considers trade related matters relative to Cambodia pursuant to this review. Although the 2003 resolution will
replace the 1998 Resolution Concerning the Unreported and Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-Scale
Longline Vessels in the Convention Area [Ref. 98-18], previous decisions taken in accordance with this measure
will remain effective until otherwise decided by the Commission.
In closing, the Commission would like to invite Cambodia to participate in the 2004 ICCAT meeting as an
observer. Further, the Commission would remind Cambodia that it can join ICCAT or seek cooperating status if
your country maintains an interest in exploiting species under the purview of ICCAT. With respect to requesting
cooperating status, I would draw your attention to the provisions of the newly adopted Recommendation by
ICCAT on Criteria for Attaining the Status of Cooperating Non-Contracting Party, Entity, or Fishing Entity in
ICCAT [Ref, 03-20]. For your convenience, this Recommendation is included in the attached Compendium.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. Please accept assurances of my highest consideration.
5.4 Letter to Costa Rica: Identification regarding the Swordfish Action Plan Resolution
This letter is further to earlier correspondence from the International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) dated November 28, 2002. I am writing to inform you that the Commission decided at
its November 2003 annual meeting to identify Costa Rica in accordance with the terms of the Resolution by
ICCAT Concerning an Action Plan to Ensure the Effectiveness of the Conservation Program for Atlantic
Swordfish (hereafter referred to as the Swordfish Action Plan Resolution) [Ref. 95-13].
Each year, the Commission reviews fishery related information for the Convention area relative to both ICCAT
members and non-members. During its 2003 revie w, the Commission was reminded that swordfish from Costa
Rica was imported by an ICCAT member in 2002. Such imports have been occurring since 1999 although Costa
Rica has reported no Atlantic swordfish catch data to ICCAT. This information suggested that Costa Rican flag
vessels were fishing outside the ICCAT management regime. Costa Rica has not availed itself of the opportunity
to clarify to the Commission the situation concerning these catches. In view of these circumstances, the
Commission identified Costa Rica as a non-Contracting Party whose vessels have been fishing for Atlantic
swordfish in a manner that diminishes the effectiveness of ICCAT conservation measures. The Commission,
therefore, requests the Government of Costa Rica to take the necessary actions to rectify the fishing activities of
its vessels and to implement fully ICCAT´s conservation and management measures. In that regard, we would be
grateful to receive detailed information regarding (1) the types of monitoring, control and surveillance methods
used by Costa Rica with respect to its fishing vessels, (2) Costa Rica’s total catch of tuna and tuna-like species in
2003 and prior years, (3) the markets to which Costa Rica exports swordfish and/or its products, and (4) the
maritime area in which Costa Rican vessels fished swordfish.
The Commission will review the situation of Costa Rica at its next meeting, scheduled for November 15-21,
2004, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Information concerning actions taken by Costa Rica relative to thes e
matters should, therefore, be submitted to ICCAT at least 30 days prior to that meeting. If it is determined that
Costa Rica has not rectified the situation and continues to diminish the effectiveness of ICCAT, the Commission
can recommend that its Contracting Parties take non-discriminatory trade restrictive measures on Atlantic
swordfish and its products from Costa Rica.
For your information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management Recommendations and
Resolutions. It includes both the Swordfish Action Plan Resolution [Ref. 95-13] and a new instrument entitled
Resolution by ICCAT Concerning Trade Measures [Ref. 03-15], adopted by ICCAT at its 2003 meeting. The
2003 Resolution broadens the scope of ICCAT´s current trade regime (which includes the Swordfish Action Plan
Resolution). The new measure also improves the transparency of the process for applying trade restrictive
measures. The Commission will use the new Resolution at its 2004 meeting to guide its review of fishery related
activities in the Convention area. Although the 2003 resolution will replace the Swordfish Action Plan
Resolution, previous decisions taken in accordance with the Action Plan will remain effective until otherwise
decided by the Commission.
In closing, the Commission would like to invite Costa Rica to participate in the 2004 ICCAT meeting as an
observer. Information concerning this meeting will be forwarded in due course. Further, the Commission would
remind Costa Rica that it can join ICCAT or seek Cooperating Status if your country maintains an interest in
exploiting species under the purview of ICCAT. With respect to requesting Cooperating Status, I would draw
your attention to the provisions of the newly adopted Recommendation by ICCAT on Criteria for Attaining the
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