E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
ICCAT´s efforts always result in an improvement in the quality and the efficiency of its work and its
deliberations, which undeniably reaffirm the Commission’s prestige, and Algeria is pleased that note that this has
encouraged more countries to adhere recently.
The competence of the ICCAT Executive Secretary has largely contributed to this success in playing a
considerable role in the optimization of the efficiency of the work and the monitoring of the measures adopted.
Algeria wishes success to the future Executive Secretary and assures him of its undeniable support.
In concluding, Algeria congratulates the ICCAT Secretariat for its excellent work and expresses its full
disposition to cooperate in a constructive way with all the delegations, to whom it wishes a pleasant stay in the
city of Dublin.
Brazil
The Brazilian Delegation would like to thank the Irish Government for hosting the 18 th Regular Meeting of the
Commission. We are very pleased at to be in the historical city of Dublin and to benefit from the hospitality of
its people. We would also like to welcome Cyprus, Malta, Turkey and Vanuatu who have joined ICCAT as
Contracting Parties in the last year. As usual, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Secretariat for the
hard work in successfully setting up one more meeting of the Commission.
One of the most important commitments of the new Brazilian Government is the struggle against famine. Within
this context, the sustainable use of marine living resources is of increasing significance. With the aim of
improving the country’s capacity to manage adequately this important sector, the new Brazilian Administration
established a Special Secretariat for Aquaculture and Fisheries, which is of ministerial level and reports directly
to the Presidency of the Republic.
Brazil concurs with the ICCAT Chairman on the priority issues to be dealt with here in Dublin: the selection of a
new Executive Secretary, the management of tropical species, compliance issues, as well as procedures and
criteria relating to trade sanctions. With regard to that last point, the Brazilian Delegation is convinced that the
results of the work done intersessionally should be fully taken into account in the deliberations of the 18 th
Regular Meeting of ICCAT in order to avoid duplication of efforts and the waste of precious time.
Annual meetings constitute valuable occasions for delegations to reiterate their commitments to the principles
ICCAT takes as a basis in the pursuit of its goals. Annual meetings constitute as well opportunities for
delegations to provide for the necessary explanation and justification in the case of non-compliance of the
Commission’s rules. In relation to the budgetary problem of ICCAT and to the financial obligations of
Contracting Parties, Brazil believes that a realistic approach should prevail in the debates on these issues. On the
one hand, the Commission cannot carry out its activities without the necessary funds. On the other hand, the
economic situation of many developing country members of ICCAT impedes them from complying fully with
their financial obligations to the Commission. The balance between these two crucial circumstances must be
taken into account in the debates on eventual measures that might apply the withdrawal of rights of indebted
ICCAT members.
Finally, the Brazilian Delegation would like to pay tribute to Dr. Adolfo Lima for his year of efficient work in
command of the Secretariat and wholeheartedly wishes him the best of luck.
Canada
We are delighted to be in Dublin and would like to thank the Irish Government for hosting the 18 th Regular
meeting of the Commission.
Although Canada approached last year’s meeting of the Commission with guarded expectations, overall we
viewed the results, while not totally acceptable, as a step in the right direction, not only for the stocks that we
have the obligation to manage, but also for our organization.
The experience of the two previous Commission meetings had left us with diminished hope that ICCAT could
effectively deal with the complex set of issues that lay before it. For at past meetings, it is Canada’s view and
that of many watching us that ICCAT had moved several steps backwards, something that caused us great
concern given the speed of real progress to date in facing up to our responsibilities as a regional fisheries
management organization. The absence of consensus, the excuse of scientific uncertainty and the view by many
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