E - Iccat

OPENING ADDRESSES & STATEMENTS
For the year 2003, Trinidad and Tobago exerted considerable effort to ensure that its catch limit for North
Atlantic swordfish of 125 t was not exceeded having regard to our past situation of overage. In 2002, and
consistent with the ICCAT Recommendation [Ref. 02-02] relating to the rebuilding program for North Atlantic
swordfish, Trinidad and Tobago succeeded in obtaining an increase in its catch limit for North Atlantic
swordfish from 87 to 125 t. This was due to the increase in the Total Allowable Catch for North Atlantic
swordfish based on the 2002 SCRS Report. Trinidad and Tobago informed the Commission that its swordfish
fishery was in a state of overage, the 2002 catch of swordfish amounting to 92 t and the catch limit of 87 t having
been exceeded for that year. At the 2002 Commission Meeting, Trinidad and Tobago proposed to eliminate its
existing overage during the period 2003-2004, thereby reducing its annual catches in 2003 and 2004 to an
amount lower than the proposed catch limits for those years. Trinidad and Tobago is satisfied that it has met this
objective in 2003. Our swordfish catches were capped at 75 t in 2003 and fishing for this species by the industry
was not permitted once this catch limit had been reached. Our actions in 2003, therefore, have conformed to our
proposal to eliminate the situation of overage in our North Atlantic swordfish fishery.
The minimum size tolerance level of 15% for North Atlantic swordfish continued to pose a daunting challenge.
This level was exceeded by 3% in 2003. Trinidad and Tobago fully supports the recommendation pertaining to
the minimum size tolerance level, as this is an essential component for the management and conservation of this
species. However, as pointed out at the 2003 meeting, our national longline fleet operates within out Exclusive
Economic Zone and not on the high seas. Trinidad and Tobago intends to pursue an investigation into the fishing
areas and the impacts of the gear used by our longline fleet on the capture of undersized fish and to put the
appropriate management measures in place. Trinidad and Tobago wishes to reiterate that these undersized
swordfish are sold locally since the minimum size regulations preclude the export of undersized fish to
international markets.
Trinidad and Tobago has taken action consistent with ICCAT Recommendation [Ref. 02-13] to amend the plan
to rebuild blue marlin and white marlin populations. There are four major sport fishing tournaments that are held
annually in Trinidad and Tobago which target these species. A tag and release system is promoted at these
competitions and sport fishermen are awarded more points for release of these species. On the other hand, they
are penalized for presenting blue marlin, white marlin or sailfish at the scales below a certain minimum eligible
size. This action ensures that the sport fishing tournaments are conducted in a manner consistent with ICCAT´s
management recommendations.
In 2002, Trinidad and Tobago sought clarification with respect to the process of compilation of the list of IUU
fishing vessels and we note with satisfaction that this was adequately addressed at the 2002 Commission
meeting. We operate a transshipment port for tunas and tuna-like species as part of our port State responsibility.
Trinidad and Tobago intends to implement measures through a Memorandum of Agreement with these
companies, which would be given the force in law to ensure that all relevant data and information on these
vessels are submitted to the national fisheries authorities.
With respect to our national longline fleet, a Trip Reporting System is fully operational and the industry is fully
supportive of this management measure. Thus, in 2003 we have taken all necessary measures to ensure that the
actions of our longline fleet do not diminish ICCAT conservation and management measures. We wish to thank
the Commission for affording us this opportunity to address this meeting and reiterate our immense pleasure at
being present in this delightful city of Dublin.
Turkey
I am pleased and honored to address on behalf of the Turkey at the Eighteenth Regular Meeting of the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.
Since 1992, Turkey has attended the ICCAT meetings as an observer. In September 2003, Turkey attended the
SCRS meeting as a full member of ICCAT.
Today I am very pleased to advise that Turkey is here as full member of ICCAT. We are conscious of the
responsibilities of becoming a member of ICCAT as we were before.
Turkey, with a coastline of 8,333 km on the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea,
is dependent on tuna fisheries. For about 10,000 years bonitos and bluefin tuna have been living in Turkish
waters. Writers of old have reported on the bonitos and bluefin tunas in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. The
name Golden Horn (Halic) actually comes from the large numbers of these fish that are present in these habitats.
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