International Ocean Institute Training Programme

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6. The Twentieth Session of COFI, held in March 1993, examined general
principles for such a Code, including the elaboration of guidelines and endorsed a
timeframe for the further elaboration of the Code. It also requested FAO to prepare,
on a "fast track" basis, as part of the Code, proposals to prevent reflagging of fishing
vessels which affect conservation and management measures on the high seas.
7. The further development of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
was accordingly carried out in consultation and collaboration with relevant United
Nations Agencies and other international organizations including non-governmental
organizations.
8. In pursuance of the instructions of the FAO Governing Bodies, the draft
Code was formulated in such a way as to be consistent with the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea, taking into account the 1992 Declaration of
Cancun, the 1992 Rio Declaration and the provisions of Agenda 21 of UNCED, the
conclusions and recommendations of the 1992 FAO Technical Consultation on High
Seas Fishing, the Strategy endorsed by the 1984 FAO World Conference on
Fisheries Management and Development, and other relevant instruments including
the outcome of the then ongoing United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish
Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks which, in August 1995, adopted an
Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 Concerning Straddling Fish
Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.
9. The FAO Conference, at its Twenty-seventh Session in November 1993,
adopted the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and
Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas and recommended that
the General Principles of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries be
prepared on a "fast track" in order to orientate formulation of thematic articles.
Accordingly, a draft text of the General Principles was reviewed by an informal
Working Group of Government nominated experts, which met in Rome in February
1994. A revised draft was widely circulated to all FAO Members and Associate
Members as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
Comments received on the second version of the General Principles were
incorporated in the draft Code together with proposals for an alternative text. This
document was also the subject of' informal consultation with non-governmental
organizations on the occasion of the Fourth Session of the United Nations
Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, held in
August 1994 in New York.
10. In order to facilitate consideration of the full text of the draft Code, the
Director-General proposed to the Council at its Hundred and Sixth Session in