E - Iccat

STACFAD REPORT
the unfavorable financial situation of previous years. The Executive Secretary added that if the Commission
wished to purchase property for the headquarters, this could be looked into.
The Delegate from the European Union stated that the Working Capital Fund was well above the 15%
recommended by the auditors and there was no reason to continue with this fund at such a high level. He
indicated that some research activities could be financed and that the possibility of reducing the contributions
should be studied. He proposed that the expenses of the eBCD Fund be financed by the Working Capital Fund
and added that the European Union would be contributing €90,000 towards the eBCD Fund.
The Delegate from South Africa proposed using the Working Capital Fund to finance research programs such as
the tagging programs.
The Delegate from France (on behalf of St. Pierre & Miquelon) supported South Africa´s proposal and also the
proposal to reduce contributions.
The Delegate from Brazil urged caution in the use of the Working Capital Fund.
The Delegate from the United States supported the proposal to invest and utilize the Fund for science purposes,
such as the tagging program.
The Delegate from Libya pointed out that, taking into account the current healthy state of our finances, priorities
should be established. He proposed more scientific research, capacity building for the developing countries and
the organization of more seminars and meetings. He also informed the Committee that Libya had sent its
budgetary contribution and would also contribute to the GBYP.
The Delegate from Japan indicated that with the current good financial state, the current balance could be used to
carry out research activities on tunas and tuna-like species, which would benefit all the Contracting Parties. He
added that the assistance for participation at meeting should be continued.
The Delegate from Morocco also called for caution in the use of the Fund and suggested, as an alternative, using
it to reduce the debt of developing countries.
The STACFAD Chair, who pointed out that this healthy financial state is the result of sound management,
summarized that it was clear that the Working Capital Fund could not continue to increase, that it should be used
to finance the Meeting Participation Fund and that we should proceed with caution.
The Financial Report was adopted.
4.3 Review of progress in the payment of arrears and voting rights
The Chair presented the document on “Detailed Information on the Accumulated Debt of the ICCAT
Contracting Parties & Review of the Payment Plans of Past-Due Contributions” (STF-204), which provides
information broken down by years.
The Chair asked the Contracting Parties mentioned in the above document to contact the Secretariat to regularize
their debt.
5. Procedures for selection of the auditor for the next five-year period
The Executive Secretary explained that in 2013 the tendering of a new firm to audit the Commission´s accounts
for the next five fiscal periods must be carried out, since the current auditing firm would conduct its last audit for
the 2012 fiscal period.
6. Procedures for the election of the Executive Secretary
The Chair explained that this Agenda item had been discussed by the Heads of Delegations, who agreed to
extend the mandate of the current Executive Secretary for an additional two years.
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