E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
For your information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management Recommendations and
Resolutions. It includes an important new instrument entitled Resolution by ICCAT Concerning Trade Measures
[Ref. 03-15], adopted at the 2003 Commission 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.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. Please accept assurances of my highest consideration.
5.14 Letter to Senegal: Expressing strong concern about and seeking clarification of swordfish and bigeye
tuna fisheries and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) scheme
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) met for its annual meeting from
November 17-24, 2003, in Dublin, Ireland. As explained in previous communications, the Commission annually
collects and reviews fishery related information for the Convention area relative to the activities of both ICCAT
members and non-members.
During its 2003 review, ICCAT welcomed the response from Senegal to the Commission’s November 28, 2002,
special letter seeking information on swordfish harvests. In your March 19, 2003, response letter, reference is
made to artisanal and industrial fleets. You note that the industrial fleet does not target swordfish but that bycatch
harvests do occur in the longline fisheries that target bigeye and yellowfin tunas. You also note that, in the
past, some harvests have been made by Japanese longline vessels operating under fishing agreements with
Senegal. It is not clear, however, if any of the vessels comprising the industrial fleet you mention are flagged by
Senegal. In your letter, you also note that 34 t of swordfish were exported by Senegal, “mainly destined for the
European Union.” It is not clear if this figure relates to the Atlantic swordfish taken as by-catch by the industrial
fleet or if some or all of it comes from your artisanal fleet.
The situation has become more complex in that the Commission’s 2003 fishery review als o indicated significant
harvests of bigeye tuna by Senegal beginning in the late 1990s and continuing through 2002, the last year for
which data were available. Given the strict rules under which the ICCAT membership operates relative to the
bigeye tuna fishery, the Commission regarded the reported bigeye tuna catches by Senegal with serious concern.
In order to clarify fully these matters, the Commission requests the Government of Senegal to provide all
available catch and effort data for its fleets, including the geographic area of the catch. The Commission also
requests more detailed information on the size of Senegal’s artisanal and industrial fleets, including information
on vessel ownership, registration, and licensing. Finally, the Commission requests information on measures
Senegal has in place to ensure full implementation of ICCAT´s conservation and management measures,
including details on monitoring, control, and surveillance programs. The requested information should be
submitted to ICCAT as soon as possible so that the Commission can consider it during its next meeting,
scheduled for November 15-21, 2004, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
For your use and information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management
Recommendations and Resolutions. Please note that it includes an important 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 when such measures are warranted. 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.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters. Please accept assurances of my highest consideration.
5.15 Letter to Seychelles: Concerning maintenance of identification in accordance with the 1998 UU Catches
Resolution and seeking information on harvests, possible dual vessel registration, and vessels on the IUU
list
I am writing to inform you that the Commission decided at its Eighteenth Regular Meeting, held November 17-
24, 2003, in Dublin, Ireland, to maintain the identification status of Seychelles relative to bigeye tuna.
As explained in previous communications, the Commission annually reviews fishery related information for to
the Convention area relative to both ICCAT members and non-members. As you are aware, the referenced
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