Implementation of IPOA/IUU - International MCS Network

49harvested and by whom. Catch certification schemes typically require such formsto accompany all fish and fish products to which they apply, whether or not theybecome part of international trade. Trade documentation schemes cover only fishand fish products that enter international trade. 92The following material provides examples of recent market-relatedmeasures taken by selected RFMOs, including import prohibitions anddocumentation schemes. In all cases, it must be emphasized that the marketrelatedmeasures form only part of a larger range of measures that the RFMOshave adopted to achieve effective conservation and management in general andto combat IUU fishing in particular.ICCAT has adopted several market-related measures designed toencourage compliance by ICCAT members and cooperation by non-memberswith the ICCAT’s conservation and management decisions.The Bluefin Tuna Action Plan and Swordfish Action Plan, adopted in1994 and 1995, respectively, can lead to the mandatory prohibition of imports ofthe relevant species from non-members whose vessels diminish the effectivenessof the ICCAT conservation measures for those species. 93 Under each ActionPlan, ICCAT first identifies non-members whose vessels have been fishing forthe species in question in a manner that diminishes the relevant conservation andmanagement measures. ICCAT then requests the identified non-members torectify those fishing activities. Failure to rectify will lead ICCAT to require allits members to prohibit the importation of fish of the species from the identifiednon-member. Beginning in 1996, ICCAT has identified a number of nonmembersunder each Action Plan and has imposed prohibitions on imports fromseveral of those.In 1996, ICCAT adopted a measure that can result in the prohibition ofimports of bluefin tuna and swordfish from ICCAT members as well, in theevent that the member exceeds its catch limit for the species in question for twoconsecutive management periods. 94 Pursuant to this measure, ICCAT prohibitedimports of bluefin tuna from one of its members in 1999.ICCAT has also adopted a measure focussed on the problem ofunreported and unregulated catches of tuna by large-scale longline vessels in theAtlantic region. 95 Under this measure, ICCAT members are to submit to theICCAT Secretariat a variety of import and landing data relating to frozen tuna92 For a thorough analysis of such schemes, see “Catch Certifications and Feasibility ofHarmonizing Certifications Among Regional Fisheries Management Bodies,” by Peter M.Miyake.93 See ICCAT Resolution 94-3 and ICCAT Resolution 95-13.94 See ICCAT Recommendation 96-14.95 See ICCAT Resolution 98-18.