E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2002-2003 (II)
the pertinent rules of international law, particularly those of the United Nations on the Law of the Sea, the FAO
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, and the International Action Plan to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Under no hypothesis will my delegation accept to reopen the
negotiation of the terms contained in those instruments. We also consider it essential that the special needs of the
developing countries be duly considered, not only with relation to the implementation of the integrated
monitoring measures but also to the right of those countries to develop their fishing sector and, to participate in a
fair manner with the most developed nations in oceanic fishing. Finally, it is essential to assure that the
monitoring measures agreed upon here be applied in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
Canada
Canada is pleased to participate at this inter-sessional meeting of the Commission and wishes to thank the
Madeira authorities for such a fine venue and for the marvelous weather.
The focus of this inter-sessional meeting is to further develop the work done at the 2001 Brussels and 2002
Tokyo inter-sessional meetings, and reviewed at the regular meetings of the Commission.
Canada has long expounded on the need for ICCAT to be a leader of regional fisheries management
organizations in conservation.
We can only do this by ensuring that our management decisions are always based on sound scientific advice.
And by ensuring that we have clearly articulated our management requirements, and that we have applied them
in a consistent manner.
As well, ICCAT must ensure that members and non-members comply with these sound management measures.
This is what I refer to as the “4 Cs” of ICCAT: conservation, clarity, consistency and compliance. Without
anyone of these, we run the risk of eroding conservation, confidence and credibility as a regional fisheries
management organization.
We, ourselves, have recognized some of our deficiencies. We know that in many instances, we are not providing
sufficient basic data on catches to allow our scientists to do proper stock assessments. We know that noncompliance
with our rules, by both members and non-members, often goes unchallenged. We also know that this
cannot continue if we are to remain a credible regional fisheries management organization.
That is why we are here this week in Madeira. We will examine means to improve integrated monitoring for
members and to further develop consistent trade measures to be applied against non-members who choose to
undermine ICCAT conservation and management measures.
In October, we will als o need to meet on the issue of data provision.
These are opportunities that we can ill afford to waste. We know it and now much of the world is starting to
notice. The recent report released in Science & Nature has heightened concern worldwide with the state of our
precious tuna and swordfish stocks. This kind of attention puts us all under a finer microscope.
We must make progress at these meetings. We must make progress on the 4”C”s: conservation, clarity,
consistency and compliance. Because if we do not others will eventually do it for us. We have an opportunity
this week. Let’s ensure that we make the best of it.
Canada’s aim will be to have ICCAT set the highest standards in conservation and management. We look
forward to a full set of discussions here this week.
BY COOPERATING NON-CONTRACTING PARTIES, ENTITIES OR FISHING ENTITIES
Chinese Taipei
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Portugal and the City of Funchal for
accommodating facilities for this meeting, and the efforts made by the Secretariat to make this meeting possible.
84