E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
Appendix 3 to ANNEX 11
Report by Chinese Taipei on the Eliminati on of
IUU Large-scale Tuna Longliners
1. Introduction
In view of the uncontrollable rapid increase of large scale FOC/IUU longline fishing vessels in the late 90s, and
in their determination of eliminating the unregulated fishing activities of these longline fishing vessels so as to
achieve the goal of sustainability of tuna resources for the utilization of future generations, in February 1999,
Japan and Chinese Taipei signed an Action Plan, where Japan was to scrap those second hand longliners it
exported and Chinese Taipei was to encourage those longliners recently built in its shipyards to acquire
registration, so that they would be properly managed and controlled.
2. Joint Effort of Chinese Taipei’s and Japan on Elimination of IUU LSTLVs
After years of efforts, Chinese Taipei has taken appropriate steps to amend its regulations to permit importation
of 45 FOC vessels it has exported, while Japan has provided budget for purchasing the 42 second-hand FOC
vessels it exported for scrapping. In addition, a new joint action plan between Chinese Taipei and Japan is agreed
in April 2003. A special arrangement has been made by Japan and Chinese Taipei in cooperation with Vanuatu
and Seychelles to legitimize 69 IUU/FOC longliners, with the condition that these vessels will be subject to strict
monitoring and control. The process has been a progressive one, and the result can be described as satisfactory.
Almost all the IUU large-scale tuna longline vessels have either been scrapped, re-registered or legitimized.
3. Measures taken domestically by Chinese Taipei on combating IUU LSTLVs
– Prohibiting export of fishing vessels to countries that are subject to trade sanction due to operation of IUU
fisheries by means of FOC vessels;
– Forbidding fishing vessels on the IUU list or registered under those countries subject to trade sanction, to
enter into the ports of Chinese Taipei;
– Continuing exchange of information with Japan and other countries of interest for strict monitoring of the
transportation of tuna catches so as to prevent fish laundering against IUU fishing.
4. Cooperation with International Fisheries Resources Conservation Measures
Chinese Taipei has taken positive steps applying countermeasures to effectively combat IUU fishing activities.
With the efforts as described above, there will be an expectant reduction of bigeye catch of more than 11,000 t.
The figure of the tuna conserved will be much higher if other tuna and tuna-like species are included. It should
be pointed out that scrapping of 13 second-handed vessels that fished in Atlantic Ocean has created an expectant
reduction of 3,250 t bigeye tuna catch and re-registering the 13 vessels has enabled to bring these vessels under
proper control and management.
5. Conclusions
Chinese Taipei has put enormous efforts to effectively combat and eliminate IUU LSTLVs fishing.
Administrative guidance has been given to encourage IUU/FOC vessels to seek re-registration so that they can
be well managed and controlled under national and international regulations for sustaining global fisheries
resources. Chinese Taipei will continue to work closely with all ICCAT member as well as members of other
RFMO to prohibit their fishing, based upon the “ white (positive) “ list in conjunction with the implementation
of statistical documents, aiming to totally stop and eliminate all the IUU fishing activities.
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