Two-thirds of the population of the world live in the Asia-Pacific region, and fisheries play a vital role in the food security and economies of these countries. The important contributions of this economic sector are confirmed by the high average per caput consumption of fish; high number of fishers; high fish production; and the high value of export earnings in this region.
The Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (APFIC), formerly the Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council (IPFC), has been instrumental in rational fisheries development and the conservation of fishery resources in this vast region of the world. The Commission, established by FAO in 1948 under Article XIV of its Constitution, is now 50 years old. In its many years of existence, the Commission has witnessed major changes in world fisheries and the fishing industries of the region. It has, from time to time, adjusted and oriented its functions and responsibilities so that it can be responsive to the needs of its Members in the management and sustainable development of their fisheries.
As an Article XIV body, APFIC enjoys considerable independence. Its role does not have to be limited solely to making recommendations but may include the adoption of management measures as envisaged by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and subsequent global fisheries and fisheries-related instruments and initiatives. Nevertheless, since its inception, the Commission has performed only an advisory role. It has not exercised its management functions although these were provided for by the amendments to the Agreement adopted in 1976 and strengthened by those adopted in 1993.
During its half century of service to the region, the Commission has accomplished many tasks, aimed at assisting its Members to achieve the management and rational development of their fisheries. In the formative years, 1948-1962, the Commission assessed the needs of its Members in the course of developing their fisheries, and promoted the development of fishery administration, fishing industries and research.
In the second period, 1962-1980, the Commission became a more action-oriented body. Increased attention was directed toward several practical features of the rapidly changing fishing industries of the region, including fisheries development planning, engaging working parties to tackle these specific issues. It participated actively in inter-regional and regional programmes such as the FAO/UNDP South China Sea Programme, the Indian Ocean Programme and the Cooperative Study of the Kuroshio and Adjacent Regions. During this period, satisfactory progress was made in several areas of fisheries management and development, including resource appraisal, aquaculture research and development, improved post-harvest technology, and fisheries development planning.
During the third period, 1980-1990, the Commission gave strong support to the EEZ Programme launched by FAO in 1979. The Commission assisted in the implementation of the Strategy for Fisheries Management and Development and the associated Programmes of Action adopted by the 1984 FAO World Conference on Fisheries Management and Development. Further progress was made during this period in the management of tuna, coastal pelagic and demersal fishery resources; the development of coastal aquaculture, and the development of post-harvest technology.
The last period, 1990 to present, witnessed the Commission’s attempts to promote responsible fisheries in both inland and marine waters and sustainable aquaculture development. It has continued to adjust its role so that it can effectively assist its Members to achieve self-reliance in the sustainable development and management of their fisheries in compliance with UNCLOS. Increased attention has been given to the strengthening of management-oriented research to back up management decisions and the continued improvement of fishery information and statistics.
Since its inception, APFIC has attached importance to regional cooperation and in this last period, it has continued to cooperate with several regional and sub-regional organizations concerned with fisheries and marine affairs, notably SEAFDEC, MRC, and NACA, in order to reduce the duplication of effort.
The vision of the Commission is quite clear, i.e., to ensure the sustainable contribution of fisheries to the food security and economies of its member countries. This vision has been influenced by the World Food Summit, FAO and its subsidiary bodies, the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific, and COFI as well as the collective wisdom of its Member States. In order to fulfil this vision, the mission of the Commission is to help accelerate the self-reliance of its member countries in the conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the region. This will be accomplished through programmes of action.
The APFIC Executive Committee at its Sixty-seventh Session (Bangkok, June 1998) reviewed the evolution and achievements of APFIC during the past fifty years and noted with appreciation the achievements of the Commission in rational fisheries management and the conservation of fishery resources in the region. It agreed that the success was due mainly to the sustained cooperation rendered by the Commission’s Members; the technical and financial contributions of FAO; and the untiring service and devotion of the Secretariat staff. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the Commission could have accomplished more, had it not been constrained by a number of factors, including the lack of funding support; lack of commitment of and active participation of some Members in the work of APFIC; and the reluctance to make additional financial contributions to the Commission by its Members. It is, therefore, time for the Member States to make a collective and clear decision on the future of the Commission.
