REPORT for biennial period, 2010-11 PART I (2010) - Vol. 4 ... - Iccat

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTCONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA ANDFLORA 15 th MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (CITES)Location: Doha, Qatar, (13-25 March 2010)Representative: Fabio Hazin (ICCAT Chair), Gerry Scott (SCRS Chair) and Driss Meski (ICCAT ExecutiveSecretary)Comments: ICCAT was invited to participate in the 15 th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CITES), asAtlantic bluefin tuna was one of the species proposed for Appendix 1 listing. The proposal was made by Monacowhich drew attention to the intensive and industrial exploitation of the species over recent decades which hadcaused stocks to decline to less than 15 % of historical levels. Monaco noted in their proposal the support by theExpert Advisory Panel of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and emphasizedthe requirement for collaboration between FAO and CITES, and for a structured relationship with ICCAT toensure good governance relating to the species. The recent management measures taken by ICCAT wereacknowledged, but concern was expressed that management measures but that quotas had been exceeded, andthat IUU fishing activities had been carried out. It was noted, however, that listing of the species could have animpact on other fisheries.The European Union and its Member States noted their considerable concern about the poor management of thespecies and acknowledged that the bluefin tuna fishery was largely driven by international trade. They supportedthe proposal but suggested that the application of the inclusion of Atlantic bluefin tuna be delayed until May2011, subject to certain conditions, including full implementation of ICCAT management measures and theoutcome of the advice of the ICCAT Scientific Committee. The proposal to delay implementation of Appendix 1listing was supported by the FAO.Many Parties present agreed that the appropriate body for the management of bluefin tuna was ICCAT, and thatAppendix I listing would place a burden on coastal States by preventing sustainable use and sustainabledevelopment, both of which were guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS) and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.Other Parties and NGOs supported the listing proposal on the grounds that the management of stocks under theauspices of ICCAT had not improved and that the Atlantic bluefin tuna met the biological criteria for anAppendix I listingThe ICCAT Chairman made a statement on behalf of ICCAT, noting that the Commission had placed a greatdeal of attention on that species, noting that over 100 fisheries scientists with relevant technical expertise hadhelped to inform their decision-making. In response to declining populations, ICCAT had established a series ofconservation measures, including total allowable catch limits, size limits, shortened harvest seasons and acomprehensive independent observer program, which were further strengthened in 2009. These additionalmeasures, particularly a total allowable catch limit of 13,500 tons, were projected to increase or at least stabilizetuna populations with an 80 % probability of success by 2020.The proposal, as amended by Spain (EU), was then put to a vote by secret ballot. The result of the vote was 43 infavour, 72 against with 14 abstentions. The amended proposal was thus rejected. The original proposal putforward by Monaco was then put to a vote by secret ballot. The result of the vote was 20 in favour, 68 againstwith 30 abstentions. The proposal was thus rejected.Actions: During the plenary session, the ICCAT Chairman made a statement emphasizing the steps taken byICCAT to keep control of bluefin tuna fisheries and underlined the continued importance of collaborationbetween ICCAT and CITES, and indicated that setting total allowable catches beyond the levels scientificallyadvised as necessary to ensure sustainability of tuna stocks under ICCAT’s mandate shall no longer beacceptable to the CPCs. In this context ICCAT management measures should be strictly enforced.Report availability: The report is available on www.cites.org/eng/cop/15/sum/E15-Com-I-Rec08.pdf.11