The Role of Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) in Combating IUU Fishing Dr. Gail Lugten OECD Paris, April 2014.
Types of Regional Fishery Bodies: [FAO (RSN) is currently working with 50 RFBs] They can be FAO / Non FAO; Advisory / Regulatory; Marine Capture / Inland Capture; Species based or region based.
Current Issues of Importance to RFBs Responses were categorised into four areas: o Science and Research o Institutional o Fishing o Post Harvest The most common factor, and a factor that manages to straddle most of the above four categories, is the ongoing problem of IUU fishing.
Depending on their geographic scope and mandate, RFBs are utilising a variety of measures to deal with IUU fishing. This includes the scientific advisory fishery bodies which share their data resources, and / or jointly develop data integration systems which include estimates of IUU fishing, both at the regional and national levels.
Some of the RFB responses to our monitoring of IUU fishing are noteworthy: NEAFC All their contracting parties share MCS responsibilities and the Commission boasts it has eradicated IUU fishing; BOBP-IGO Promoting a larger MCS role amongst fishing communities (a neighbourhood watch); CRFM Promoting collaboration with neighbouring RFBs.
Capacity Building Several RFBs have noted a need to develop particular parts of their fisheries management process in order to better address IUU fishing. Thus APFIC and WECAFC have conducted Port State Measures workshops, SPC are training observers and promoting data management initiatives.
IUU Vessel Lists Links to IUU vessel lists from other Regional Fishery Management Organizations: Commission for the Conservation of Antartic Marine Living Resources Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Establishing a List of Vessels Presumed to Have Carried out Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Activities in the ICCAT Convention Area" [Rec. 11-18], the ICCAT Secretariat ensures publicity of the IUU vessels list adopted by ICCAT at its annual meeting by placing it on the ICCAT web site. Many RFBs are compiling lists of the vessels proven or allegedly IUU fishing in their convention areas. CCAMLR, NEAFC, NAFO and the five TRFMOs attribute their vessel lists to be significant in their reduction of IUU fishing. SEAFDEC are assisting their member countries to compile vessel lists.
Port State Measures Most RFBs are encouraging member countries to either implement the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing or to implement a variation of the FAO Agreement. NAFO and neighbouring NEAFC are working to harmonise their measures.
Catch Documentation Schemes and Catch Carcass Tagging Schemes CDS (eg. CCAMLR) A web based system to track fish from the point of landing throughout the trade cycle and Carcass Tagging Programs (eg. NASCO) applying a tag after harvest. Tags are issued with licenses.
RFB Review of Infractions A number of bodies are focusing on the compliance of their member countries. Examples include the TRFMOs, GFCM, CRFM, SEAFO. The technique of sending a letter of identification (name and shame) has proven to be an effective tool for ICCAT.
Observers Most RFBs still have a preference for MCS by fishing vessel observers. SPC notes that it is active in training observers for the Pacific, and FFA are aiming for 100% observer coverage on their purse-seiner fleet.
CONCLUSIONS 1. Much is still uncertain about the extent, location, and organisation behind IUU fishing; 2. Poverty severely restricts a people s ability to deal with IUU fishing; 3. Regional management has more potential than national management;
4. There is no single fix-it technique. A raft of measures is needed, and these include cooperation and collaboration between RFBs. 5. Today I have focused on the problems of IUU fishing in marine capture fish stocks, but inland capture IUU is also a serious trans-boundary offence that should not be forgotten.
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