E - Iccat

COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
and EU rules pertaining to the use of driftnets. Measures implemented and the results of the verifications carried
out in 2012 confirm that illegal driftnet l activities are no longer occurring. Morocco also stated that its extensive
program to ban driftnets has been successfully implemented and driftnets activities have been eradicated.
Morocco emphasized the economic and social cost of this effort and called upon all delegations to continue with
necessary measures to prevent the return of illegal activities.
Several cases of transshipments at sea of ICCAT tuna and tuna like species caught by pelagic trawlers targeting
small pelagic species were discussed. It was noted that the carrier vessels receiving the fish were not registered
in the ICCAT record of authorized vessels. A discussion followed regarding the interpretation of
Recommendation 06-11 on whether the flag CPC of the reefer or the flag CPC of the catching vessels has the
obligation to submit the list of reefers to ICCAT. Belize announced that it will include all its reefers within the
ICCAT record of vessels authorized to receive transshipments to avoid further problems. The Chair referred this
issue to the PWG, to be discussed under the new proposal for a Recommendation by ICCAT on transshipment.
The EU supported a discussion at the 2013 meeting of the Working Group on Integrated Monitoring Measures
(IMM) on how to consider by-catches of ICCAT species taken in lawful fisheries that do not target such species.
It was noted that, based on port inspections of carrier vessels, these catches were not insignificant amounts and it
is necessary to determine how such catches should be reported to ICCAT, and to what extent they are allowed to
enter into trade. The Chair referred this issue to the PWG, to be considered as a point on the Agenda of an IMM
meeting in 2013.
Ghana was commended for their improvements in monitoring and control activities, in particular with regards to
the establishment of an operational VMS system, the provisions included in their fishing license prohibiting their
fishing vessels to undertake transshipments at sea, and the traceability system implemented by canneries. As
well, Ghana confirmed that the group of Ghana-flagged vessels owned by Korean nationals that was the center
of illegal activities in the past is presently monitored by VMS. Korea informed the Committee that their
nationals have been informed of ICCAT concerns and had requested them to refrain from undertaking in the
future illegal practices as the ones carried out in the past.
Korea stated that under its current national legislation it is difficult to enforce ICCAT conservation and
management measures on their nationals operating vessels under another nation’s flag. In this regard, Korea
intends to review its national legislation.
6. Actions required in relation to issues of non-compliance by CPCs arising from Items 4 and 5
The Chair reviewed the revised version of the draft “Compliance Summary Tables” which included the
responses given by each CPC to the allegations of potential infractions, as well as the recommendations of the
Chair, in consultation with the Review group, for appropriate actions that the Committee should take vis-à-vis
such infractions.
Based on the discussions which took place during the Committee and in particular, in light of the provisions of
ICCAT’s Recommendation on Trade Restrictive Measures [Rec. 06-13], the Committee agreed on the following:
− No action necessary with regard to 16 CPCs
− Maintain the identification of 5 CPCs
− New identifications were issued to 2 CPCs
− Lift the identification to 4 CPCs, which will receive a "letter of concern"
− In total, 25 CPCs to receive a "letter of concern"
The Compliance Committee noted that all identified CPCs must respond to the issues raised in their letter at least
30 days before 2013 ICCAT annual meeting and agreed that all other CPCs receiving a letter of concern should
also respond prior to that meeting.
The Committee also expressed its concern on the implementation of the BCD system by China. However, China
reiterated that the problem was that the ICCAT Convention and rules do not apply to Hong Kong, which has a
special administrative status vis-à-vis China. Therefore, despite its efforts it was difficult for China to fully
enforce the BCD system in this territory. The Chair noted that some concerns had been raised about
implementation of the BCD system in other administrative areas and encouraged China to continue its efforts to
monitor and report on bluefin tuna imports.
271