FAD Fisheries Management:

The ICCAT Connection

Prepared by CRFM Secretariat for

CRFM CARIFICO Regional Workshop on FAD management

5 December 2014, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

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INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS

CONVENTION

ADOPTED IN 1966

FORMALLY ENTERED

INTO FORCE IN 1969

RESPONSIBLE FOR

THE CONSERVATION OF

TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE

FISH STOCKS IN THE

ATLANTIC OCEAN AND

ADJACENT SEAS

ESTABLISHMENT & CONVENTION AREA

- Headquarters in Madrid, Spain

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MANDATE / ROLE

ONLY FISHERIES ORGANIZATION

THAT CAN UNDERTAKE RANGE OF

WORK FOR STUDY & MANAGEMENT

OF ATLANTIC TUNA AND TUNA-LIKE

FISH SPECIES

COMPILATION OF FISHERY

STATISTICS FROM ALL NATIONS

HARVESTING THESE SPECIES IN

CONVENTION AREA

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION

OF RESEARCH & FISH STOCK

ASSESSMENTS

DEVELOPS SCIENTIFIC-BASED

MANAGEMENT ADVICE APPLICABLE

TO ENTIRE STOCK RANGE

PROVIDES A MECHANISM FOR

CONTRACTING PARTIES TO AGREE

ON MANAGEMENT MEASURES

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS

All Atlantic tuna and tuna-like

species, and shark species are

now monitored by ICCAT

CARICOM/ CRFM participation in ICCAT

I. CARICOM has been observer at ICCAT since 1991 II. Key role in strengthening CARICOM/ CRFM Member State

participation in ICCAT III. 4 CARICOM States are now members of ICCAT, 2 CARICOM States hold Cooperating Party status IV. Regional position paper on catch allocation criteria, which was

presented by T&T on behalf of region.

V. Provides support to countries on national positions and in management negotiations on catch quotas, IUU fishing allegations, etc.

VI. Assists ICCAT for key collaborative activities

ICCAT & FAD Fisheries Management

CONCERN ABOUT INCREASING USE OF FADS & THEIR

IMPACTS:

HIGH JUVENILE CATCHES OF TROPICAL TUNAS BY

SURFACE FLEETS

CHANGED COMPOSITION OF FREE SWIMMING SCHOOLS

OF TROPICAL TUNAS

IMPACT ON SPECIES ECOLOGY

HIGH BILLFISH CATCHES REPORTED BY ARTISANAL

FISHERIES THAT USE FADS

BYCATCHES OF TURTLES, SHARKS, DEPENDING ON FAD

MATERIAL

ICCAT & FADS – MANAGMEENT MEASURES

1. 2009 - ARTISANAL FISHERIES TO CAP MARLIN CATCHES TO 2006

LEVELS, AND IMPROVE REPORTING OF DATA

2. 2014 - FOR PURSE SEINE AND BAITBOAT FLEETS (TROPICAL

TUNAS)

MANDATORY REPORTING ON FAD FISHERY ACTIVITIES &

LOGBOOK

FAD FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN

ARE/TIME CLOSURE FOR EAST ATLANTIC

OBSERVER PROGRAM

NON-ENTANGLING FADS

2. 2014 - AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON FADS

ICCAT FAD Working Group Terms of Reference

a) Assess the use of FADs in Tropical Tuna fisheries, & evaluate ways to improve use of FAD information in stock assessments b) Given data gaps, review the information available pursuant to the FAD related management measures c) Assess the relative contribution of FADs to the overall fishing mortality in ICCAT tropical tuna fisheries d) Assessing the developments in FAD-related technology, e.g. Technological improvements fishing mortality. FAD and buoys marking & id management tool. Reducing FADs ecological impact improved design.

e) Identify management options, including the regulation of deployment limits and characteristics of FADs, & take into account EAF, precautionary approach, and catch efficiency impacts

ICCAT FAD Working Group – other provisions

1. 1st meeting of FAD Working Group 2015

2. Working Group should be composed by scientists, fisheries managers, industry representatives & other interested stakeholders.

3. Working Group to report and recommend appropriate measures by 2016 ICCAT Commission Meeting.

4. Chairing arrangements shared by SCRS and Commission. The chairs to coordinate & establish procedures to ensure a full an open exchange among all participants.

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PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING

A CONTRACTING PARTY TO ICCAT (1)

Any government that is a member of

the United Nations (UN)

Any government that is a member

of a Specialized Agency of the UN

Any inter-governmental economic

Integration organization constituted

by States with competence over the

matters governed by the ICCAT

Convention.

ELIGIBILITY

TO APPLY

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PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING

A CONTRACTING PARTY TO ICCAT (2)

APPLICATION

AN INSTRUMENT OF ADHERENCE

TO THE ICCAT CONVENTION MUST BE

DEPOSITED WITH THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

OF FAO.

Membership becomes effective on the date

that the instrument is deposited.

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ICCAT MEMBERSHIP - WHY

I. Can directly influence /modify ICCAT regulations

II. Can negotiate directly to obtain equitable catch quotas

for finite resources

III. Active, regular contribution to ICCAT’s scientific activities

(data and research) enhances responsibility/compliance profile

IV. ICCAT provides financial assistance to developing states

to improve data and research

RESULT :- STABLE & SECURE FUTURE FOR THESE FISHERIES

• FISHERY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

(EMPLOYMENT, TRADE & FOOD SECURITY)

• PROTECTION OF FISHERY-ASSOCIATED REVENUES

CONTRIBUTIONS TO TOURISM INDUSTRY (RESTAURANT

TRADE & SPORT FISHING REVENUES)

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COMMISSION ACTIVITIES – MANAGEMENT LEVEL HOW - DELEGATION COMPOSITION • Senior Fisheries Administrator

• Legal Advisor

• Scientific Advisor

SCRS ACTIVITIES – SCIENTIFIC LEVEL HOW - DELEGATION COMPOSITION • Fish stock assessment scientist, who will also serve as

scientific advisor at Commission meeting

• Other fisheries scientists – fisheries biology, marine ecology,

statistics

ICCAT PARTICIPATION – HOW

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ICCAT PARTICIPATION STRATEGY ELEMENTS

1. Establish National Working Group/ Committee to oversee ICCAT participation

2. Conduct cost-benefit analysis

3. Develop large pelagic fisheries management plan (LPFMP)

4. LPFMP should identify fisheries development plans, list fishery participants and

vessels concerned, identify resources needed to meet ICCAT obligations (there are many),

propose licensing arrangements, licensing fees and other resource rent fees, marketing

arrangements, etc.

5. Fisheries development plans for specific species, especially regulated ones

6. Implement LPFMP, and maintain active participation & contribution to ICCAT

7. Catch quota negotiations are easier with a fisheries development & management

plan.

8. Share best practices

9 Maintain active management cycle, and make use of ICCAT assistance

funds to developing states

Eye On ICCAT…… CRFM PWG,

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