E - Iccat

PANEL 4
6.4 Sailfish
The United States tabled their “Draft Recommendation by ICCAT on Sailfish”, noting that the most recent stock
assessment indicates that both stocks might be overfished with overfishing occurring, so conservation and
management measures are needed. The proposal called for a minimum size for recreational fisheries equivalent
to the live release of 50% of catches, no sale of recreationally-caught sailfish, and release of sailfish caught alive
by commercial vessels. An exemption would be available for coastal CPCs if they report their catches and do not
increase catches.
Several CPCs expressed concern over the differences between commercial and recreational requirements.
Consensus could not be reached and the recommendation was not adopted.
6.5 Billfish
The United States tabled a proposal, “Draft Recommendation by ICCAT to Further Strengthen the Plan to
Rebuild Blue Marlin and While Marlin/Spearfish Stocks” and introduced it noting that since the original
rebuilding plan was adopted in 2000, ICCAT had not moved past Phase I and that the stocks remain overfished.
The United States acknowledged the work of an informal working group from the previous day and expressed
hope that an agreement on marlins could be reached.
The Chair then introduced his proposal, which allocated a landings limit for each CPC. There was general
agreement to use the Chair’s text as the basis for discussion.
Following informal discussions, the Chair presented a revised recommendation which included quotas for each
CPC, two alternatives for paragraph two, a 10% underage carryover for those CPCs whose landing limit is larger
than 45 t, a 20% underage carryover for CPCs whose landings limit is 45 t or less, and the addition of paragraph
9 regarding capacity building (taken from Recommendation 11-07). The United States proposed a merging of the
two options for paragraph 2.The draft recommendation was agreed upon by consensus with the changes
suggested by the United States and the “Draft Recommendation by ICCAT to Further Strengthen the Plan to
Rebuild Blue Marlin and White Marlin Stocks” was forwarded to Plenary for adoption (see ANNEX 5 [Rec. 12-
04]).
7. Research
7.1 EU shark research
The EU informed the Panel that they are conducting a study to obtain additional information on sharks in the
high seas as managed by tuna RFMOs. The project will examine historical fisheries data, catch composition, and
realized catches and effort and establish gaps in current biology and ecology for sharks in order to facilitate
advice to the RFMOs. The study will be completed in April 2013. The data collection phase has been finished
and they are currently working on the data analysis part of the project. Once the study is finished, the EU plans
to present the results to all relevant RFMOs to inform their management decisions. The intention is not to
substitute the scientific work of the RFMOs, but to assist and supplement the information. The European Union
presented an Information Note to Panel 4 on the EU Commission Study on Sharks which is attached as
Appendix 10 to ANNEX 9.
7.2 SCR response to Commission
The SCRS Chair responded to three requests by the Commission. First, the SCRS analyzed the potential benefits
and utility of time/area closures for marlins. He noted that the SCRS was unable to examine it in depth since they
conducted an assessment in 2012, but this was included in their work plan for 2013.
Second, the SCRS was requested to evaluate data collection improvement plans on sharks, but the Chair noted
that many CPCs did not submit these plans, so the SCRS was unable to reach any conclusions. The SCRS Chair
encouraged CPCs to submit data on sharks.
Finally, the SCRS evaluated sea turtle and by-catch mitigation information provided by CPCs. The SCRS Chair
explained that in 2013 they would be ready to complete the fishery impact assessment and provide
recommendations to the Commission on this regard.
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