E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2012-2013 (I)
to improve the process since the change of the quorum, from the majority or how to count the abstentions in a
vote, required an amendment of the ICCAT Convention.
− Proposal concerning the objection procedure.
The Delegate from Canada stated that a draft ICCAT resolution had been developed on the presentation of
objections to foster the effectiveness of the conservation and management measures adopted by ICCAT.
The Delegate indicated that the objective was to preserve the right of the Contracting Parties to present
objections to Commission decisions; to extend, whenever possible, the right of a Contracting Party to present an
objection; to reduce, inasmuch as possible, the impact of the objections on the entry into force of the
Commission´s recommendations; to require that the objections be justified and be based on specific reasons; and
to require that the Contracting Party presenting an objection also propose adopting and implementing, when
possible, alternative conservation and management measures that are coherent with the objectives of the
Convention.
Following the discussion, as the delegations did not reach agreement on any proposal, the Chair suggested
making two separate documents for each of these proposals, in order to move forward in the discussions. The
documents presented were the “Proposal for Consideration at the Third Meeting of the Working Group on the
Future of ICCAT: Modification of Rule 9 in ICCAT Rules of Procedure in Respect of Inter-sessional Voting”
(STF-209B), and the “Draft Resolution by ICCAT Regarding the Presentation of Objections in the Context of
Promoting Effective Conservation and Management Measures Adopted by ICCAT”.
The Modification of Rule 9 of the ICCAT Rules of Procedure in Respect of Inter-sessional Voting was adopted
by STACFAD and forwarded to the Commission for final approval (see ANNEX 7.1).
The Resolution by ICCAT Regarding the Presentation of Objections in the Context of Promoting Effective
Conservation and Management Measures Adopted by ICCAT was adopted by STACFAD and forwarded to the
Commission for final approval (see ANNEX 6 [Res. 12-11]).
− ICCAT communication policy
The STACFAD Chair then noted that there was still another matter to discuss, i.e., the Commission’s
communication policy (Item 5.c of the Working Group Report) (see ANNEX 4.2).
Hence, the Executive Secretary introduced the “Note on the Development of a Commission Communication
Policy”), which contained two possible points of view so that the Commission could initiate the discussion and
take a decision in this regard. One was to consider this as a tool to promote the Commission´s activities, and the
other as a means to disseminate the specific results of the Commission´s meetings. The Executive Secretary also
informed that he had contacted the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Reporting
Services (IISD-RS) and that the aforementioned document included the offer received.
The delegations agreed on the need to improve communication of the Commission´s work, but not in a
burdensome manner. Several alternatives were discussed such as opening the ICCAT web page during the
meetings to reflect the work carried out, press releases, circulars or periodic bulletins, occasional hiring of
external experts, etc.
The Chair indicated that there was agreement on the need for a communication policy, but not on the tools to
implement. Therefore, it was agreed that the Secretariat and the CPCs that have expertise to offer should discuss
this inter-sessionally in a virtual working group with a view to developing options, including estimates of the
costs involved, for consideration in 2013.
13. Adoption of the report and adjournment
The 2012 meeting of STACFAD was adjourned by the Chair, Ms. Lapointe.
The Report of STACFAD was adopted by correspondence.
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