E - Iccat

PLENARY SESSIONS
Organization informed the Secretariat that the Earth Island Institute questioned the Secretariat’s response. The
Secretariat asked the Commission for advice. The Commission requested that the SCRS Chairman prepare a
response, in consultation with the Sub-Committee on By-catches. The Commission also cautioned that ICCAT’s
fisheries should not be wrongly represented and a comprehensive response to the Earth Island Institute was
necessary.
16.6 Farewell to the Executive Secretary
Noting that Dr. Adolfo Ribeiro Lima would be ending his appointment as ICCAT Executive Secretary in March
2004, Mr. Jim Jones of Canada thanked Dr. Lima for his many contributions to ICCAT as Executive Secretary
since 1996.
Mr. Jones highlighted Dr. Lima’s long association with ICCAT in different roles, from Delegate of Portugal, to
Chairman of STACFAD, to Commission Chairman, and finally as Executive Secretary. Mr. Jones mentioned Dr.
Lima's leadership and compassion as essential elements in the negotiations leading to the approval of the Madrid
Protocol, and recognized Dr. Lima's disappointment that one signature was still needed for the Protocol to enter
into force. Mr. Jones stated that Dr. Lima had done his work well, particularly in a difficult re-structuring of the
Secretariat so that it could better satisfy the ever-growing demands from the Commission. Mr. Jones concluded
that Dr. Lima had always been a good friend to ICCAT and to conservation and wished him a happy retirement
from ICCAT.
Dr. Lima received tributes from the other Delegates around the table. Mr. Miyahara, Commission Chairman, also
extended his sincere gratitude to Dr. Lima for his many contributions to ICCAT. Mr. Meski, the newly-elected
Executive Secretary, also stated that it would be challenging for him to follow Dr. Lima's example, and joined
the others in wishing him the best in his retirement. Dr. Lima then received a long standing ovation from all
participants that were present in the room.
Dr. Lima thanked the Commissioners for their tribute, and noted that he would miss ICCAT after having served
in various capacities for more than 20 years. He also thanked Dr. Victor Restrepo, Mr. Papa Kebe and Mr. Juan
Antonio Moreno of the Secretariat staff, for having served as his closest aids in crucial times. Dr. Lima thanked
Mr. Carlos Dominguez-Diaz and the Spanish authorities for their dedicated support to ensure the smooth
operation of the Secretariat in Spain. Dr. Lima also extended a warm welcome to his successor, Mr. Meski, and
reassured him that he would transfer an organized office with the utmost transparency.
Dr. Lima finally expressed his frustration that, due to budgetary considerations, he had not found an opportunity
to propose to the Commission a change in the structure of the Secretariat such that several staff members could
be re-classified from General Services to Professional Staff, as they would normally be in other intergovernmental
organizations. Dr. Lima hoped that the Commission would consider this problem in the future.
17. Date of the next meeting of the Commission
The United States reconfirmed its offer to host the 2004 Meeting of the Commission in New Orleans. The dates
for the next Commission Meeting were established as 15-21 November 2004. The Delegate of the United States
urged participants who require a visa to enter the United States to initiate the process well in advance and if any
difficulties are encountered to please advise him well so that he can assist in facilitating the process.
18. Election of Commission Officers
The Commission Chairman indicated that the Commission has to appoint new officers for the 2004-2005
biennial period.
The Delegate of Canada nominated Mr. Masanori Miyahara of Japan for a second term as Chairman of the
Commission and the Delegate of the United States seconded this proposal.
The Delegate of Japan nominated Mr. Abdellah Srour of Morocco for a second term as First Vice-Chairman of
the Commission and the Delegate of the European Community seconded this proposal.
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