E - Iccat

PLENARY SESSIONS
13. Report of the Joint Meeting of the Compliance Committee and PWG and consideration of any
proposed recommendations therein
During the final Plenary session, Ms. Kimberly Blankenbeker, Co -Chair of the Joint Meeting, reported on the
very productive work of the 2003 Joint Meeting of the Compliance Committee and PWG (see ANNEX 11).
The Commission adopted the following, by consensus:
– Resolution by ICCAT Concerning Trade Measures (see ANNEX 6 [Ref. 03-15]).
– Recommendation by ICCAT to Adopt Additional Measures Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
(IUU) Fishing (see ANNEX 5 [Ref. 03-16]).
The Commission took note that the new trade Resolution would replace ICCAT’s Bluefin Tuna [Ref. 94-03] and
Swordfish [Ref. 95-13] Action Plan Resolutions and the Resolution by ICCAT Concerning the Unreported and
Unregulated Catches of Tunas by Large-Scale Longline Vessels in the Convention Area [Ref. 98-18].
The Recommendation by ICCAT to Adopt Additional Measures Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
(IUU) Fishing was adopted; however, in the absence of a definition for IUU activities in the Recommendation,
the Delegate of the European Community made the following statement for the record: “In the view of the
European Community, vessels whose flag states do not dispose of a quota, catch limit or allocation of fishing
effort, in the context of the management and conservation of ICCAT, are to be considered as vessels conducting
IUU activities.” The Delegate of Canada supported this statement by the European Community.
In addition, a draft recommendation prohibiting transshipments by large-scale tuna longline vessels was
discussed, but could not be agreed upon. The Commission Chairman requested that the Commission return to
this at its 2004 meeting (see ANNEX 7.1 ).
The Joint Meeting briefly discussed the newly established Record of Authorized Vessels and noted that some
clarifications should be made to the current record to exclude vessels from non-Cooperating non-Contracting
Parties, vessels less than 24 meters and vessels of third party flags. Delegates were also urged to submit reports
to the Commission as per paragraph 6 of the Recommendation by ICCAT Concerning the Establishment of and
ICCAT Record of Vessels Over 24 meters Authorized to Operate in the Convention Area [Ref. 02-22].
The proposed Recommendation and Resolution were adopted by the Commission, by consensus, with the
remainder of the report to be adopted by mail. The Report of the Joint Meeting of the Compliance Committee
and PWG is attached as ANNEX 11.
14. Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and Administration (STACFAD)
During the Final Plenary Session, Mr. Jim Jones, Chairman of STACFAD, summarized the Committee’s work.
He noted that a total 2004 budget of €1,937,860.99 had been approved by the Committee as well as the
corresponding Contracting Party contributions to finance the budget, which were forwarded to the Commission
for final adoption. The Commission adopted the 2004-2005 Budget, the 2004 Contracting Party contributions
and the Catch and Canning figures, by consensus (see Tables 1-3 to ANNEX 12). The 2005 Budget and
Contracting Party contributions are subject to review at the 2004 Commission Meeting.
The STACFAD Chairman also pointed out a change to Article 6.2.c of the ICCAT Staff Regulations and Rules.
This was also adopted by the Commission, by consensus, and is attached as Appendix 3 to ANNEX 12.
The STACFAD Chairman also pointed out changes to Rule 4 of the ICCAT Financial Rules in anticipation of
the ratification of the Madrid Protocol. This change was also adopted by the Commission, by consensus, and is
attached as Appendix 6 to ANNEX 12.
Mr. Jones noted that STACFAD had been informed that the status of the ratification of the Madrid Protocol
remained unchanged, i.e., ratification by one of five Contracting Parties is still required.
The STACFAD Chairman emphasized the urgency to have the new financial contribution scheme in place. The
current balance in the Working Capital Fund is less than 3% of the budget and it should be in the order of 30%.
The auditors have recommended that this balance should be an absolute minimum of 15% of the total budget.
Mr. Jones also pointed out that only 75% of contributions are collected. The Committee urged members to pay,
and noted that in 2004 there will be discussions on how to deal with those who are in arrears. The Delegate of
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