E - Iccat

OPENING ADDRESSES & STATEMENTS
accordance with its legislation. In addition, no Belizean fishing vessel is targeting regulated tuna and tuna-´like
species within the ICCAT Convention area.
In response to concerns over the level of albacore catches reported by St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2001,
this country took action to rectify this issued during the first half of 2002. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is also
improving its statistical reports.
In conclusion, both Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are now complying fully with ICCAT
conservation and management measures, or at the very least, are doing so at levels comparable to those achieved
by ICCAT Contracting Parties. Furthermore, the recent accomplishments by Belize and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines have required considerable deployment of resources by these two developing States. The
Commission will recall the 2002 recommendations to suspend the sanctions imposed on these two countries by
January 2004, unless documentary evidence is presented to indicate non-compliant activities. Neither State has
received any evidence to show that it has failed to complete the necessary actions required to bring its fishing
practices into conformity with ICCAT conservation and management measures.
Noting all of the above, CARICOM asks the Commission to life, and not simple suspend, the trade sanctions
currently imposed on these countries by 1 January 2004.
Complementary measures: Besides the imposition of trade sanctions on exporting countries, CARICOM asks the
Commission to consider and develop additional complementary methods of dealing more directly and
completely with the problem of over-fishing. The greater burden of conservation action should be placed on
developed States, which have more resources available to ensure stricter monitoring and enforcement of ICCAT
regulations.
Consistency and transparency: CARICOM notes that the SCRS is able to obtain data on Atlantic bigeye tuna
and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna from fleets categorized as “NEI” (Not Elsewhere Included). While the scientific
data cannot be used to identify countries fishing in contravention of ICCAT measures, ICCAT has established
statistical document programs for monitoring international trade of the two fish stocks in question. The
continued use of the “NEI” category by the SCRS therefore implies a breakdown in the implementation of these
statistical document programs, or the application of different standards to different fleets. If the latter is true, it is
not fair that some countries are sanctioned by ICCAT because of alleged illegal fishing activities, while others
are not identified by ICCAT but allowed to continue fishing these species without agreed catch allocations.
Cooperating Party status applications: Two CARICOM countries, Belize and Guyana, have submitted
applications for ICCAT Cooperating Party status, for consideration by the Commission in 2003. Belize has
clearly demonstrated its commitment to comply fully with ICCAT conservation and management measures, as
evident from the remedial actions described earlier. CARICOM therefore trusts that the Commission will
respond favorably to Belize’s application, in order to encourage the continuation of the strong compliance
actions being implemented by this country.
Guyana’s waters are very rich in living marine resources and, at present, Gu yana has substantial fisheries for a
range of marine resources, including sharks. In respect of its shark fisheries, it should be noted that Guyana is
working to improve reporting of catches at the individual species level. To date, Guyana has not made use of the
tuna and tuna-like resources present in its offshore waters. As a developing State, Guyana needs to explore and
develop the full potential of these additional offshore large pelagic fish resources. As a coastal State, Guyana is
also entitled to harvest the available stocks of the species concerned, and has a responsibility to optimize the
usage of the resources within its EEZ in accordance with international law. However, given the migratory nature
of these resources, Guyana appreciates the need to establish suitable sharing arrangements with other harvesting
countries.
In its application to ICCAT, Guyana signaled its firm commitment to respect the Commission’s conservation and
management measures. Firstly, Guyana recognized the Commission’s authority for the management of tuna and
tuna-like resources within the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Secondly, Guyana’s application indicated a
clear intention to cooperate fully with ICCAT to ensure coordinated development of Guyana’s offshore large
pelagic fisheries. To the extent so far necessary, Guyana has made every effort to comply with ICCAT´s
statistical reporting and compliance requirements. Noting this, and the fact that the Commission has not had
cause to query any of Guyana’s large pelagic fishing activities, CARICOM looks forward to positive
consideration by the Commission of Guyana’s application.
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