E - Iccat

ICCAT REPORT 2012-2013 (I)
Uruguay
The Delegation of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay would like to thank the Government of the Kingdom of
Morocco for hosting the 18th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas. Also, we would to extend our appreciation to the Chairman of the Commission and the Secretariat for all
the work done in organizing this meeting.
During the current year, the world population has grown to more than 7 billion people. This growth has been
noted mainly in the poor coastal countries, particularly in the so-called “emerging” nations. Estimates indicate
that this growth will continue in the coming years with the consequential requirement of food to satisfy the world
demand.
In this sense, it is essential to broaden equality in our society, reducing the great distance that has been generated
between the impoverished countries and those enriched in this historical period. To achieve this objective within
the Commission, it should discuss again the criteria for allocation of the resources, including advice from the
SCRS as well as the needs of the poor coastal countries. “Sustainable” management of the food resources cannot
be achieved if there is inequality in the access to these resources.
A fair and equitable distribution of the highly migratory resources is needed to achieve a responsible
commitment in the conservation and management of these resources. For this reason, we understand that the
discussion on the future of ICCAT should take into account the current asymmetries and concerns which are
contrary to the principles of this organization. We cannot exclude from this process either the allocation criteria
or the evaluation of fair trade among the parties.
We believe that the Commission should comply in a stricter manner with the SCRS recommendations,
developing improved possibilities in the Contracting Parties for data collection, participation and research. The
activities of the SCRS must be strengthened immediately, providing the necessary and obligatory information
that will enable this Committee to advise the Commission in an independent and effective manner, to be able to
take the most adequate decisions on policy. The advice from the SCRS has shown to be the best route for the
responsible management of the resources.
Uruguay is one of the signatory countries of the Acuerdo del Estado Rector del Puerto (Port State Control
Agreement). The Uruguayan Parliament is studying this Agreement with a view towards its ratification, which
demonstrates Uruguay’s commitment to the regulatory measures that promote the elimination of illegal fishing
activities.
We are still concerned about the dimension and the direction that monitoring and control have taken in recent
years. We need greater commitments and less costs and bureaucracy so that compliance is possible. We must
generate capacities that enable the impoverished economies to achieve a level of monitoring and compliance that
avoids the current disparities. In this way, the socio-economic situation is not a condition to be monitored
through compliance.
Our delegation is willing to work and cooperate with all the Parties in reaching consensus that will finally enable
achieving these objectives, through dialogue and with a fair participation of all the members of ICCAT.
Uruguay greets all the participants and wishes them a fruitful meeting in 2012.
3.3 OPENING STATEMENTS BY COOPERATING NON-CONTRACTING PARTIES, ENTITIES OR
FISHING ENTITIES
Chinese Taipei
First of all, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Government of Morocco
for hosting the 18th Special Meeting of the Commission. I would also like to thank the ICCAT Secretariat and
the Chairman of ICCAT for their hard work in preparing the meeting.
From 2006 onward, the UN General Assembly has adopted the "Sustainable Fisheries Resolution" every year in
which it repeatedly calls upon all States, directly or through RFMOs and arrangements, to widely apply the
principles of precautionary approach and ecosystem-based approach to the conservation, management and
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