FISHERY ACTIVITIES OF COUNTRY GROUPINGS

Andean Pact
League of Arab States
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Caribbean Community and Common Market
Commonwealth of Independent States
Economic Community of West African States
European Free Trade Association
European Union
Free trade agreement between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela
Southern Common Market
Southern African Development Community
South Pacific Forum
Tratado di Cooperación Amazonica
Central African Customs and Economic Union

Andean Pact

The Andean Pact was established through the Cartagena Agreement on 26 May 1969. Current members are Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The general objectives of the Andean Pact as revised by the 7th Andean Presidential Council which met in Quito, Ecuador, on 5 September 1995, are to:

· strengthen the Andean integration process;

· coordinate and subsidize economic policies in order to achieve sustainable development;

· define social policies that will improve the quality of life and promote the participation of all social groups in the benefits of regional development;

· strengthen integration in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere.

The Andean Pact has no subsidiary body that deals exclusively with fishery matters.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

The total fish production of Andean Pact countries rose steadily over recent years from 2.2 million tonnes in 1983 to 12 million tonnes in 1994. Peru’s catches of anchovy and sardine accounted for almost 85 percent of the total fish production in 1994. Aquaculture production remains very small compared with capture fisheries. The total export of fish and fish products by member countries of the Andean Pact has also been increasing consistently over recent years.

Andean Pact: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	79	98	97	124
Percentage of world total	1.05	0.92	0.66	0.65
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	3 533	5 466	7 636	12 355
Percentage of world total	5.49	7.21	9.19	13.67
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	3 613	5 564	7 733	12 479
Percentage of world total	5.02	6.43	7.90	11.39
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	127	90	88	187
Percentage of world total	0.80	0.49	0.22	0.36
Total exports (US$ million)	790	989	1 401	2 999
Percentage of world total	5.13	5.74	3.92	6.39

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

Several regional and national projects support fisheries in the countries of the Andean Pact. Of particular relevance is a regional project funded by the European Union (EU) to support fisheries development in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (Programa de Pesca VECEP). There are also FAO projects in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

League of Arab States

The League of Arab States, more generally known as the Arab League, was founded in March 1945. The League is composed of 21 states: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The broad objectives of the Arab League are to develop cooperation and strengthen complementarity among the member countries in economic, cultural, scientific, social and military fields. To do so, the League has established several specialized agencies. Those of interest to FAO are: the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Khartoum, the Sudan); the Arab Centre for the Study of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic); the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (Tunis, Tunisia); the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (Khartoum, the Sudan); the Arab Maritime Transport Academy (Alexandria, Egypt); and the Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The Arab League has no subsidiary body or institution that deals exclusively with fishery matters.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

League of Arab States: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	160	232	295	296
Percentage of world total	2.11	2.17	2.00	1.55
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	815	1 113	1 287	1 568
Percentage of world total	1.27	1.47	1.55	1.73
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	975	1 346	1 582	1 865
Percentage of world total	1.35	1.56	1.62	1.70
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	171	251	219	269
Percentage of world total	1.07	1.35	0.56	0.52
Total exports (US$ million)	114	282	316	332
Percentage of world total	0.74	1.64	0.89	0.71

Data reflect the membership in force in 1996.

There is little direct cooperation between FAO and the Arab League at the present time. FAO has participated in several meetings organized by the subsidiary bodies of the League and has also provided technical assistance in fisheries to the Arab Union of Fish Producers through the Centre for Marketing Information and Advisory Services for Fishery Products in the Arab Region (INFOSAMAK).

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. At present, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam are members of ASEAN.

In 1992, the ASEAN Heads of Government adopted the Singapore Declaration and the Framework Agreement of Enhancing ASEAN Economic Cooperation, including a decision to establish the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) within 15 years. Member countries also signed the Agreement on the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme which is the main instrument to establish AFTA.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The 15th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 28 to 30 October 1993, agreed that the medium-term programme of action for ASEAN cooperation in food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry shall cover the following priority areas:

· strengthening food security in the region;

· facilitation and promotion of intra- and extra-ASEAN trade in food, agriculture, fishery and forest products;

· technology generation and transfer to increase productivity and develop the agribusiness and silvibusiness;

· agricultural rural community and human resources development;

· private-sector involvement and investment;

· management and conservation of natural resources for sustainable development;

· strengthening ASEAN cooperation and joint approaches in addressing international and regional issues.

ASEAN: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	1 184	1 528	1 884	2 175
Percentage of world total	15.60	14.25	12.73	11.34
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	5 323	6 536	8 136	9 828
Percentage of world total	8.27	8.62	9.80	10.87
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	6 508	8 065	10 020	12 004
Percentage of world total	9.04	9.32	10.24	10.95
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	441	617	1 207	1 969
Percentage of world total	2.76	3.32	3.06	3.82
Total exports (US$ million)	606	851	1 491	2 188
Percentage of world total	3.94	4.93	4.17	4.66

Data reflect the membership in force in 1996.

The Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission (IPFC - now known as the Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission, APFIC), at its 24th Session held in Bangkok in December 1993, agreed that the IPFC Secretariat should consult the Secretariats of ASEAN and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC) informally to consider ways and means of strengthening regional technical cooperation in fisheries. Indonesia, in its capacity as Chairman of the IPFC Committee on Marine Fisheries, was requested to convene an informal meeting among the Secretariats of ASEAN, SEAFDEC and IPFC where it was agreed that a joint working group composed of ASEAN, FAO and SEAFDEC be organized. In late April 1994, Indonesia requested that the proposed ASEAN-FAO-SEAFDEC joint working group be considered favourably and included in the agenda of the forthcoming ASEAN meeting.

Caribbean Community and Common Market

The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas on 4 July 1973 with the principal purpose of enhancing, through cooperation, the economic, social and cultural development of the people of the member countries.

The membership of CARICOM comprises Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands are associate members. A number of other states from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico and Venezuela enjoy observer status in various institutions of the community and in the CARICOM ministerial bodies.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The CARICOM Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management Program (CFRAMP) is a sustainable development initiative of 12 member countries of CARICOM. The CARICOM countries not currently participating in CFRAMP are the Bahamas and Suriname. CFRAMP is funded jointly by the Inter-American Committee for Agricultural Development (CIDA) and the participating countries. CFRAMP’s goal is to promote sustainable development and conservation of the region’s fish stocks to permit sustainable use of these resources by the people of the region. The specific purpose of the programme is to enhance the institutional capacity and information base to enable sustainable management of the fisheries. CFRAMP will also define and establish a permanent regional fisheries mechanism which will continue to provide policy and technical support and coordination for sustainable fisheries development at the CARICOM level.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

All CARICOM countries are maritime states with significant quantities of living and non-living marine resources within their waters. The fisheries sector contributes significantly to food supply and employment in the CARICOM area. Per caput consumption is high (23 to 25 kg per year), well above the world average. Most countries are net fish importers, but they also export and supply their higher-value catches to the tourism market. Small-scale fisheries predominate in the structure of the fisheries sector. Most inshore fishery resources are considered to be fully or overexploited and potential for expansion lies in the better management of existing fisheries and the development of fisheries for large pelagic species.

CARICOM: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990		1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	0.827	2		4		4
Percentage of world total	0.01	0.02		0.03		0.02
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	64	76		83		99
Percentage of world total	0.10	0.10		0.10		0.11
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	65	78		88		103
Percentage of world total	0.09	0.09		0.09		0.09
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	28	24		24		26
Percentage of world total	0.18	0.13		0.06		0.05
Total exports (US$ million)	6	7		18		17
Percentage of world total	0.05	0.04		0.05		0.04

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

The working relationship between CARICOM and FAO has been mainly through the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), since its establishment in 1975. WECAFC has conducted several activities including, inter alia, training on stock assessment and the assessment of major fish stocks in the area.

Commonwealth of Independent States

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was established in December 1991. It is a voluntary association consisting of 12 states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The main scope of CIS is to develop and strengthen cooperation and to serve the cause of peace and security.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The member countries of CIS can be divided into two groups: states that have inland water fisheries and aquaculture only (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan); and states that have a well-developed distant-water fisheries (the Russian Federation, Ukraine and - to a certain extent - Georgia).

The main features of fisheries in the Russian Federation and Ukraine are access to exclusive economic zones (EEZs), a large number of distant-water fishing vessels, a strong fish processing industry and highly developed inland water fisheries and aquaculture.

To date, no common fisheries policy has been elaborated. Coordination is achieved through bilateral and multilateral agreements. On 24 September 1992 the governments of the Russian Federation and Ukraine signed an agreement to cooperate in fishery activities and this was followed by a second agreement signed on 14 September 1993. Recently, the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Kazakstan have started to negotiate a cooperation agreement on fisheries in the Caspian Sea.

No agreements concerning the division of the former-USSR fleet were developed. The fishing fleet was divided by location of ship owners and board of vessel registration.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

CIS: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)			970	517
Percentage of world total	0.00	0.00	6.55	2.70
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)			8 233	3 772
Percentage of world total	0.00	0.00	9.91	4.17
Total production (‘000 tonnes)			9 203	4 289
Percentage of world total	0.00	0.00	9.41	3.91
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)				156
Percentage of world total	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.30
Total exports (US$ million)				1 091
Percentage of world total	0.00	0.00	0.00	2.32

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

To date there is no agreed policy within the CIS countries concerning their cooperation with FAO. Each state acts independently in fishery matters.

Economic Community of West African States

The treaty establishing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) came into force in June 1975. At present, the following countries adhere to the treaty: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The ECOWAS treaty specifies the community’s objectives as the promotion of cooperation and development in all fields of economic activity.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

Cooperation in the development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries is one of the primary aims of ECOWAS. The first stage in this cooperation entails the harmonization of internal and external policies. The second stage envisages the adoption of a common agricultural policy.

Based on the recommendations of the Industry, Agriculture and Natural Resources Commission at its meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in April 1980, ECOWAS organized a conference of experts in Dakar, Senegal, to develop national policies to ensure better management and surveillance of waters under the jurisdiction of its member countries and also to ensure the conservation of fisheries resources in the region. This conference made several recommendations on research, surveillance, harmonization of fishing agreements and legislation, trade in fish and fishery products,data collection etc. These formed the basis of the fisheries component of a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-financed project (RAF/88/047-Support to ECOWAS). The report of this project was forwarded to the ECOWAS Secretariat in 1993 by FAO.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

ECOWAS: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	353	297	343	350
Percentage of world total	4.66	2.77	2.32	1.83
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	737	918	1 108	1 087
Percentage of world total	1.15	1.21	1.33	1.20
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	1 091	1 215	1 451	1 437
Percentage of world total	1.52	1.40	1.48	1.31
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	733	461	779	510
Percentage of world total	4.58	2.48	1.98	0.99
Total exports (US$ million)	149	250	260	199
Percentage of world total	0.97	1.45	0.73	0.42

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

ECOWAS’s formal relationship with FAO is based on an exchange of letters between the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS. A cooperation agreement was established with FAO in December 1984. Since the signing of this agreement, FAO has cooperated with ECOWAS in various fields within the mandate of FAO.

In fisheries, the Secretariat of ECOWAS was assisted in organizing and running its Conference on Sea Fishing in Dakar, Senegal, 25 to 29 March 1985. FAO was also designated the executing agency for the UNDP-funded project (RAF/88/047-Assistance to ECOWAS for Strengthening Economic Cooperation and Integration among West African Countries). Furthermore, FAO regional projects have been cooperating with ECOWAS member countries in their efforts to manage their fisheries resources, especially in the artisanal subsector. ECOWAS, as an organization, is not a member of any of the FAO statutory bodies.

European Free Trade Association

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established in 1960 by Austria, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Finland, Iceland and Liechtenstein joined later. The main aim of EFTA is to work for the removal of trade barriers and for economic cooperation in Western Europe. In 1991 EFTA and European Economic Community (EEC) agreed to create a European economic area. With the expansion of the EU, the membership of EFTA has declined and in 1996 consisted of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

EFTA does not have a formal body for fishery matters or a specific policy towards the sector. Of the four EFTA members two - Norway and Iceland - are major fishing nations, while fisheries in Switzerland and Liechtenstein is a negligible economic activity. Norway and Iceland discuss fisheries on shared stocks bilaterally and through regional fishery groups. Their government officials, fishery organizations and their members discuss fishery matters within the framework of the Nordic Council (constituted by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

EFTA: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	4	5	5	4
Percentage of world total	0.06	0.05	0.04	0.02
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	3 922	3 798	3 251	4 110
Percentage of world total	6.09	5.01	3.92	4.55
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	3 927	3 803	3 257	4 114
Percentage of world total	5.46	4.40	3.33	3.75
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	213	246	298	505
Percentage of world total	1.34	1.33	0.76	0.98
Total exports (US$ million)	1 202	1 402	1 418	2 037
Percentage of world total	7.81	8.13	3.97	4.34

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

Individual members of EFTA cooperate with FAO, but EFTA itself has no cooperation in fishery matters with FAO.

European Union

The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community in 1957. In 1993 the Treaty of Maastricht established the European Union (EU). The aims of the EU include the expansion of trade, the abolition of restrictive trading practices, free movement of capital and labour within the union and the establishment of a closer union among European people. A single market with free movement of goods and capital was established in January 1993. The following countries are members of the EU: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) of the EU came into existence in 1983. It has since then developed and been adjusted continuously in accordance with international developments and changes within the EU itself. The CFP has a holistic view of the industry and covers access to resources, conservation of fish stocks and the monitoring of fishing activities as well as marketing of fishery products and research.

One important component of the CFP is the structural policies element. The main programmes are the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and PESCA. Since 1993, these structural measures have been integrated into the EU’s system of structural funds. FIFG can help to finance the following: adjustment of the fishing effort; fleet withdrawal and modernization of vessels; investment in aquaculture; assistance to fishing port facilities and to the processing and marketing of products; and other measures such as promotion of new outlets for products and the management of fishing quotas by a producers’ organization or temporary withdrawals. PESCA has been designed for assisting geographical areas that are dependent on fisheries.

In 1992, within the framework of the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP), targets for fleet capacity reductions were agreed for each EU member country. Targets were expressed as a reduction in gross registered tonnage volume (GRT) and engine power (kW).

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

EU: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	237	277	322	337
Percentage of world total	3.13	2.59	2.18	1.76
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	7 083	7 418	6 786	7 457
Percentage of world total	11.00	9.79	8.17	8.25
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	7 321	7 695	7 108	7 795
Percentage of world total	10.17	8.89	7.26	7.11
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	3 347	4 317	5 566	6 459
Percentage of world total	20.93	23.22	14.10	12.54
Total exports (US$ million)	2 049	2 643	3 089	4 087
Percentage of world total	13.31	15.33	8.65	8.70

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996; trade data include intra-EU trade.

The EU is a full member of FAO. The EU is also a member of most FAO regional fishery bodies and participates in the work of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Committee (EIFAC) and the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF).

The European Development Fund of the EU has contributed to several technical assistance projects in the field of fisheries executed by FAO, the most notable of which is the project for improvement of the legal framework for fisheries cooperation, management and development of coastal states of West Africa (GCP/RAF/302/EEC), based in Dakar, Senegal. This project was initiated in 1994.

Free trade agreement between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela

The Treaty on Free Trade between the United Mexican States, Colombia and Venezuela was established on 1 January 1995. The main objectives of this Treaty are to:

· stimulate the expansion and diversification of trade among the parties;
· eliminate barriers to trade and facilitate the movement of goods and services among the parties;
· promote conditions of fair competition in the trade among the parties;
· increase substantially investment opportunities in the territories of the parties;
· protect and enforce intellectual property rights.

The operational structure of the Treaty includes an already functional subcommittee on fisheries. The subcommittee also serves as a forum for the discussion and negotiation of fisheries policy and trade issues (e.g. on the tuna-dolphin issue).

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

Free trade agreement between Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	72	178	250	250
Percentage of world total	0.96	1.66	1.69	1.31
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	2 896	2 946	3 470	3 362
Percentage of world total	4.50	3.89	4.18	3.72
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	2 969	3 124	3 721	3 613
Percentage of world total	4.12	3.61	3.80	3.30
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	123	59	109	269
Percentage of world total	0.77	0.32	0.28	0.52
Total exports (US$ million)	619	537	573	839
Percentage of world total	4.03	3.12	1.61	1.79

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

The Treaty has no formal cooperation with FAO on fishery matters.

Southern Common Market

On 26 March 1991 the Treaty of Asunción was signed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay creating the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). Recently, Chile became an associate member. The main objective of MERCOSUR is to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the four participating economies by: opening markets and accelerating economic development; making better use of the available resources and ensuring conservation of the environment; improving communications; and coordinating macroeconomic polices. Although MERCOSUR operates as a customs union its final target is to become a common market.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

At present, MERCOSUR has no specific policy or programme in fisheries.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

MERCOSUR: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	199	229	233	247
Percentage of world total	2.63	2.14	1.57	1.29
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	1 117	1 291	1 228	1 656
Percentage of world total	1.74	1.70	1.48	1.83
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	1 317	1 520	1 461	1 903
Percentage of world total	1.83	1.76	1.49	1.74
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	90	49	180	195
Percentage of world total	0.57	0.27	0.46	0.38
Total exports (US$ million)	272	277	352	661
Percentage of world total	1.77	1.61	0.99	1.41

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

There are no cooperative programmes between MERCOSUR and FAO in the field of fisheries.

Southern African Development Community

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was formed in 1992 with the primary aim of promoting economic integration and, eventually, a common market. Twelve southern African states belong to SADC: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Of these, five border the oceans - Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

Within SADC, the Food, Agriculture and Resources Sector has the principal objectives of regional food security, agricultural development and natural resources development. There are six subsectors within the sector and these include the Marine Fisheries and Resource Coordinating Unit (MFR) and the Inland Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife Coordinating Unit (IFFW).

The specific objectives of MFR, as specified in its Marine Fisheries Regional Policy, include, among others: raising production and improving processing methods, marketing and distribution of fish and fish products; undertaking marine research, stock assessment, management, monitoring, control and surveillance; protecting and enhancing marine and coastal environments; and providing training and assistance to fishers.

Within IFFW, the development of freshwater fisheries has focused on aquaculture projects and their integration into the rural community structure.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

SADC: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	334	419	539	466
Percentage of world total	4.41	3.91	3.64	2.43
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	1 015	943	999	977
Percentage of world total	1.58	1.25	1.20	1.08
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	1 350	1 362	1 538	1 443
Percentage of world total	1.88	1.58	1.57	1.32
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	82*	300	301	324
Percentage of world total	0.51	1.62	0.76	0.63
Total exports (US$ million)	74*	76	74	211
Percentage of world total	0.49	0.44	0.21	0.45

The 1980 data exclude Angola for which none are available; otherwise data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

Within the marine sector, the FAO Aquaculture for Local Community Development Programme (ALCOM) collaborated with MFR in a study on mariculture in the SADC states. The study reviewed the present state of mariculture in the region and the potential for further development. In addition, there has been considerable informal cooperation between the MFR offices in Namibia and the FAO project on institutional support in fisheries management policy and planning.

Within IFFW, ALCOM has been endorsed as a SADC project and the coordinator of the SADC inland fisheries sector is an observer on the ALCOM steering committee. ALCOM has worked with SADC countries since it started in 1986, and investigations are currently under way into the possible integration of ALCOM into the SADC system.

South Pacific Forum

The South Pacific Forum (SPF), consisting of heads of government, was established in 1971. It provides an opportunity to discuss a wide variety of South Pacific and international concerns and issues that are common to members, including the promotion of a free trade area in the South Pacific region. In 1996 the members of SPF and its affiliated agencies were: Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. SPF has a secretariat (Forum Secretariat) which promotes regional cooperation among members on important economic issues.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), established as a specialized agency by SPF in 1977, facilitates and coordinates cooperation and mutual assistance among its members in fishery policy matters, while seeking to secure the maximum benefits from the region’s living marine resources for Pacific islanders. SPF, the Forum Secretariat and the FFA agencies maintain close working relations with important intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

FFA is mandated by its convention, inter alia, to collect, analyse, evaluate and disseminate to members relevant information.

Within this mandate, FFA facilitated the coordination of its members in negotiating the Multilateral Treaty on Fisheries between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America. FFA also facilitated the development of regionally adopted minimum terms and conditions of fisheries access for its members (including the Regional Register of Fishing Vessels); the 1992 Niue Treaty on Cooperation in Fisheries Surveillance and Law Enforcement in the South Pacific Region (Niue Treaty) which provides for reciprocal and joint surveillance and enforcement in the region; the 1992 Palau Arrangement for the Management of Western Pacific Purse-Seine Fishery (Palau Arrangement) for the limitation on purse-seine fishing effort in the region; and the 1994 Federated States of Micronesia Arrangement for Regional Fisheries Access (Federated States of Micronesia Arrangement) which provides for regional fishing access for vessels of FFA member countries.

FFA has brought important economic and social benefits to its members. The small developing island states have benefited in particular through regional cooperation and the adoption of regional minimum standards. Regionally agreed measures to limit the fishing effort (e.g. in the purse-seine tuna fishery) have also been of tangible benefit to FFA member countries.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

Fisheries production by SPF members has trended strongly upwards, particularly after 1990. In addition to the catches reported by SPF countries there are large tuna catches in the region by foreign flag vessels.

In terms of world trade in fishery products SPF countries play a relatively small role. By volume total imports have risen robustly, although declining as a proportion of world trade. A similar situation is apparent for exports of fishery products from the region.

SPF: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	10	20	23	27
Percentage of world total	0.14	0.19	0.16	0.15
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	402	489	728	825
Percentage of world total	0.62	0.65	0.88	0.91
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	412	509	751	853
Percentage of world total	0.57	0.59	0.77	0.78
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	137	158	206	255
Percentage of world total	0.86	0.85	0.52	0.50
Total exports (US$ million)	223	225	271	393
Percentage of world total	1.45	1.31	0.76	0.84

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

FFA has formal relations with FAO, which cooperates with FFA on a range of technical issues, including such matters as joint training exercises (most recently in 1995 in fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance) and exchanges of technical information. In the past FAO has also provided direct technical support to FFA through the funding of two staff positions. FFA also participated actively in the elaboration of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas. FAO participates in the annual FFA meeting as an observer.

Tratado di Cooperación Amazonica

The aim of the Tratado de Cooperación Amazonica (the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty) is to ensure collaboration among the countries of the Amazon basin in all matters connected with agriculture, forestry, fisheries and the protection of the environment. At present, it is composed of the following countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela.

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

The principal aims of the Treaty with respect to fisheries are:

· to ensure collaboration among the member countries in the collection and interpretation of information on the fishery resources of the Amazon river;

· to contribute to research in inland fisheries and aquaculture through common projects;

· eventually to develop common elements in national management plans for the Amazonian fishery resources.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

Production figures for the Amazon are unreliable as they are derived mainly from the few major urban landings. These indicate annual yields of about 220 000 tonnes for the whole Amazon basin but, undoubtedly, the actual production is far larger as most local communities rely heavily on subsistence fisheries for their animal protein. Most commercial fisheries are for supply to the major cities, Belem, Manaus, Iquitos and Leticia. There is some export of luxury table fish from the region to other urban centres in Brazil and Peru.

Tratado de Cooperación Amazonica: fishery production and trade

		1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	268		310	307	345
Percentage of world total	3.53		2.90	2.08	1.80
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	4 188		6 263	8 271	13 015
Percentage of world total	6.50		8.26	9.96	14.40
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	4 456		6 574	8 579	13 360
Percentage of world total	6.19		7.60	8.77	12.19
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	200		129	261	351
Percentage of world total	1.25		0.70	0.66	0.68
Total exports (US$ million)	830		1 054	1 443	3 049
Percentage of world total	5.40		6.12	4.04	6.49

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996.

The Secretariat of the Treaty is provided by a FAO-managed trust fund project funded by the Netherlands, by a UNDP project and by diverse funding from other donors such as the EU. Fisheries is one of 12 components addressing the natural and human environment of the Amazon basin. TheTreaty reports to the Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (COPESCAL) on fisheries matters and COPESCAL has organized technical meetings in support of fishery management activities.

Central African Customs and Economic Union

The Central African Customs and Economic (CACEU) was established by the Treaty of Brazzaville (the Congo) in 1964. Headquarters are at Bangui (the Central African Republic) and member countries are: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The main objective of CACEU is to establish a common market and the revised Treaty of 1974 emphasizes the implementation of common economic integration policies in, inter alia, the fields of industrialization, agriculture and utilization of natural resources, as well as the harmonization of development plans. In December 1987, the CACEU Conference of Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Livestock, Water and Forestry, Game and Fisheries established an Economic Community for Livestock and Fishery Resources (CEBEVIRHA).

FISHERIES: PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

CEBEVIRHA is headed by a director-general and has its headquarters at N’Djamena (Chad). It deals with fisheries issues with the objective of promoting a harmonized and balanced development of production and trade. It coordinates development policies and plans to undertake training of the fisheries workforce. Since its inception, CEBEVIRHA has promoted aid projects in fisheries, a regional fisheries centre, the establishment of a regional joint venture and processing company and the formulation of joint monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) schemes.

FISH PRODUCTION AND TRADE

Per caput fish consumption in the CACEU countries is traditionally among the highest in Africa at an average of 20 kg per year over the past decade, which compares with the figure of about 7 kg for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. However, total fish production in CACEU is marginal at 0.2 percent of the world total. Over the last two decades, domestic production has been stable reaching 224 000 tonnes in 1994, out of which 38 percent derives from the Gulf of Guinea. CACEU’s trade balance in fish is negative both in quantity and volume. Exports comprise essentially shrimps from Gabon, Cameroon and, more recently, the Congo. One of the salient features of the last decade is the drastic decline of fish imports (by 46 percent).

CACEU: fishery production and trade

	1980	1985	1990	1994
Fishery production
Inland production (‘000 tonnes)	102	104	123	137
Percentage of world total	1.35	0.97	0.84	0.72
Marine production (‘000 tonnes)	102	92	91	86
Percentage of world total	0.16	0.12	0.11	0.10
Total production (‘000 tonnes)	205	196	215	224
Percentage of world total	0.29	0.23	0.22	0.20
Trade in fishery commodities
Total imports (US$ million)	42	110	98	59
Percentage of world total	0.27	0.59	0.25	0.11
Total exports (US$ million)	3	11	4	3
Percentage of world total	0.02	0.07	0.01	0.01

Data reflect the membership in force in August 1996; trade among CACEU members is excluded.

CACEU has no formal cooperation with FAO in fishery matters. Fisheries is not part of the ongoing UNDP/FAO project that aims at formulating medium- and long-term strategies for the group.