E - Iccat

PWG REPORT
5.20 Letter to Togo: 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, and April 9, 2001. I am writing to inform you that the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decided at its November 2003 annual
meeting to identify Togo 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 [Ref. 95-13] (hereafter referred
to as the Swordfish Action Plan Resolution).
As noted in previous communications, the Commission annually reviews fishery related information for the
Convention area relative to both ICCAT members and non-members. During its 2003 review, the Commission
was reminded that swordfish from Togo have been imported by the European Community (EC), an ICCAT
Contracting Party, in recent years and that vessels flagged to Togo and carrying swordfish have attempted to call
at EC ports in the past. To date, Togo has reported no Atlantic swordfish catch data to ICCAT; thus, any harvests
of this stock by vessels flagged to Togo are taking place outside the ICCAT management regime. Moreover,
Togo has not availed itself of opportunities to clarify to the Commission the situation concerning these catches.
In view of these circumstances, the Commission identified Togo 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 the Republic of Togo 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 Togo with respect to its fishing vessels, (2)
Togo’s total catch of tuna and tuna-like species in 2003 and prior years, (3) the markets to which Togo exports
swordfish and/or its products, and (4) the maritime area in which your vessels fished swordfish.
The Commission will review the situation of Togo at its next meeting, scheduled for November 15-21, 2004, in
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Information concerning actions taken by Togo relative to these matters should,
therefore, be submitted to ICCAT at least 30 days prior to that meeting. If the Commission determines at its
2004 meeting that Togo has not rectified the situation and continues to diminish the effectiveness of ICCAT, the
Commission can recommend that its members take non-discriminatory trade restrictive measures on Atlantic
swordfish and its products from Togo.
For your information, I am enclosing herewith a Compendium of ICCAT´s Management Recommendations and
Resolutions. It includes both the Swordfish Action Plan Resolution 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 for the first time 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 Togo 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
Togo 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 this important matter. Please accept assurances of my highest consideration.
5.21 Letter to Japan: Concerning Japanese support of Israel’s developing bluefin tuna fishery
At the Eighteenth Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
(ICCAT), held from November 17-24, 2003, in Dublin, Ireland, Israel reported on its plans to increase its
exploitation of bluefin tuna found in its territorial and surrounding waters. Israel also indicated an interest in
developing bluefin tuna farming operations.
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