E - Iccat

3 rd WG FUTURE OF ICCAT – MADRID 2012
Commission, as has been done in other RFMOs. While ICCAT has taken interim steps in this regard, the fullest
and most appropriate treatment can only be accomplished through Convention amendment. The WCPFC
Convention, the Antigua Convention, the SPRFMO Convention, and the new North Pacific Fisheries
Commission Convention contain provisions that address the participation of non-Parties and provide helpful
guidance on this matter.
Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS). Effective MCS programs are critical for ensuring that
management measures can be well implemented. While ICCAT has adopted a variety of MCS measures through
recommendation, the MCS provisions of the ICCAT Convention specified in Article IX are somewhat limited
and do not fully reflect concepts contained in more modern instruments. Enhancing this aspect of the Convention
by establishing clear and modern MCS mandates would provide ICCAT with the strongest foundation possible
to ensure compliance with its rules.
The United States will be considering if there are additional contributions we might make to facilitate the
Working Group on the Future of ICCAT at its May meeting. In support of this, we encourage CPCs to contact us
in advance of that meeting to share their views on issues raised herein and any other matters to be considered by
the Working Group. The United States anticipates that a key outcome of the May meeting will be clear
agreement on ways and means for bringing the ICCAT Convention and other basic texts in line with modern
fisheries management approaches and current international legal norms.
Notes to the Working Group on the Future of ICCAT
Concerning Agenda Item 4.G – Strengthening the SCRS
(Submitted by the SCRS Chair)
Appendix 5 to ANNEX 4.2
During the 2011 Commission meeting in Istanbul, reaffirming the necessity that any conservation and
management measure is based on the best possible scientific advice, the Commission adopted the Resolution by
ICCAT on Best Available Science [Res. 11-17]. The Commission recognizes the high quality work of the SCRS
and, with this Resolution, intends to reinforce the role of the Committee.
The SCRS Working Group on Stock Assessment Methods (Madrid, 16-20 April 2012) analyzed the implications
of this Resolution and the main outcomes are summarized below:
− Quality control and validation of stock assessment software used by SCRS. The SCRS has a protocol for
software validation and quality control in place, the ICCAT software catalogue. The Working Group
agreed to continue collaborating with other initiatives, like the Strategic Initiative on Stock Assessment
Methods (SISAM) and to explore the possibility of the ICCAT software catalogue becoming part of a
worldwide repository of stock assessment methods.
− Transparency. On the issue of the transparency of the work of the SCRS, it was indicated that the
Performance Review of ICCAT considered the SCRS work to be highly transparent. The Group
recognized the importance of taken steps towards maintaining and even improving the transparency of the
work of the SCRS.
− Code of conduct. The Group acknowledged that currently the SCRS does not have a code of conduct for
scientists and observers attending its meetings and, therefore, it recommended that such a code of conduct
be drafted to comply with the requirements of [Res. 11-17].
− Peer reviews. The Group was reminded that peer reviews of the work of SCRS Working Groups have
already been conducted in the past and that a protocol to conduct such reviews is already in place.
It was agreed that the current protocol for peer review of the SCRS work should be revised and updated.
The Group also agreed that the Secretariat should prepare and keep a list of experts who have been agreed
to participate in the peer review process and who have been judged to have the necessary experience and
expertise to perform that task. This will allow the selection of external experts as soon as the SCRS
calendar of assessment meetings has been approved by the Commission.
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