R E P O R T for biennial period, 2006-07 PART I (2006) - Vol ... - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2006-2007 (I)
We firmly believe that the conservation of our fishing resources is based fundamentally on scientific grounds
and thus, the Commission must provide greater support to the Scientific Committee providing better possibilities
to Member States for research and data collection and control.
Uruguay has claimed that the efforts for the management and administration of resources are recognized and
valued, in particular, for poor countries on the coast. We understand that the adequate management and
administration of resources and economic development are not contradictory matters and contributing to resolve
these matters is part of our work.
During this meeting our delegation is committed to collaborate with the Commission in the implementation of
Allocation Criteria and collaborate in making this the basis of understanding in this years’ allocation of quotas
In the 15 th Special Meeting of the Commission, Uruguay hopes to avoid the difficulties and strengthen the
functioning and commitment of this organization and Contracting Parties as regards the conservation and
equitable distribution of resources. It is a challenge that we hope to overcome between Parties, bearing in mind
the criteria and determination of the Commission Chairman. Thank you.
United States
I would like to begin by thanking our Croatian hosts for their warm hospitality in this beautiful city of
Dubrovnik. This is the first visit to Dubrovnik for all of us on the United States delegation, and we are very
impressed with the rich culture and history of this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.
This year’s ICCAT meeting is likely to be the most challenging in many years. With new stock assessments of
bluefin tuna, swordfish and marlin, the Commission has a significant number of management measures to put in
place. In addition, ICCAT must address overall compliance issues, including chronic data reporting deficiencies,
which severely hampers the SCRS’ ability to monitor and assess the status of the stocks.
This year’s scientific results run the full gamut from positive to alarming news.
On the positive end, ICCAT members should be extremely proud of achieving their first-ever successful
international fish rebuilding program. North Atlantic swordfish are now considered nearly fully recovered. This
success shows that a multilateral effort to develop science-based measures, implemented through a multi-year
rebuilding program, can result in a rebuilt stock and tremendous socio-economic benefit from the fishery.
At the other extreme in the scientific results, bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean are
considered on the brink of stock collapse. It is clear that harvests in this fishery are completely out of control.
Conservative estimates from the SCRS put catches over the last couple of years, indeed perhaps the last decade,
at least 50,000 t, which is roughly twice the level recommended by the scientists in 2002. The cumulative
overage over the last four years is estimated to be at least 76,000 t.
Perhaps the most disturbing situation is that even long-time members of ICCAT are overrunning their quotas
and/or not fully reporting their catches. How can new or potential members view their responsibilities seriously
when compliance is clearly not a priority in several fisheries? How can developing countries be expected to put
effort into monitoring and compliance when even industrialized nations are not meeting their ICCAT data
reporting obligations?
In 2002, the United States reluctantly agreed to a package of management measures for eastern bluefin tuna,
based on a commitment by eastern harvesters to reduce undersized bluefin tuna catch and to significantly
improve data collection. Clearly these commitments have not been honored. In addition to TAC overruns
(doubly damaging given that the TAC was set above scientifically advised levels), data reporting is worse than
ever, and any benefits to the eastern bluefin stock from the promised reductions in small fish were offset by
overall increases in harvests.
Overall, the United States is appalled at the continued poor performance with data reporting by a large number of
ICCAT members. The SCRS continues to report that for a number of species, including eastern bluefin, their
scientific analyses have been hampered and/or delayed due to the lack of full reporting of data. We must
implement the data compliance measure adopted last year to make progress on this never-ending problem.
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