Established (as Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council) by an Agreement adopted at Baguio, Philippines, on 26 February 1948 under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The Agreement entered into force on 9 November 1948 and has been amended in 1952, 1955, 1958, 1961, 1977 and 1993. The 1976 amendment changed the title from Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council to Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission (IPFC). The 1993 amendments included the change of the title to Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission.
Area of Competence
The area of competence of the Commission is referred to as Asia-Pacific area. There is no precise definition of this area by lines of longitude and latitude. The APFIC Committee on Marine Fisheries (COMAF) is responsible for the management of Asia-Pacific area with priority on marine fishery resources in the South China Sea and adjacent waters. It concentrates its activities in FAO Statistical Area 71 (see Map 2).
Species Covered
The Commission covers all living marine resources as well as living inland aquatic resources. APFIC Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Committee established in 1993 is responsible for the management and development of aquaculture and inland fisheries of Asia-Pacific area.
Membership
Membership of the Commission is open to Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO. Non-member States of FAO which are Members of the United Nations, or any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission’s membership. The present members of APFIC are: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (People’s Republic of), France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Malaysia, Myanmar (Union of), Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Viet Nam.
Main Objectives and Activities
The main objectives of APFIC are to promote the full and proper utilization of living aquatic resources by the development and management of fishing and culture operations and by the development of related processing and marketing activities in conformity with the objectives of its members. The Commission has a broad mandate (Article IV) to formulate and recommend measures in respect of conservation and management of the resources in the Asia-Pacific area. It does not have regulatory powers.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
To implement the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, APFIC carried out a review on small pelagic resources in the Asia-Pacific region and transboundary stocks were identified by the APFIC Working Party on Marine Fisheries in May, 1997.
APFIC’s activities to implement the IPOA on the Conservation and Management of Sharks include promoting the development of national shark plans and reviewing the progress of implementation in cooperation with IUCN.
APFIC supports reviews on the existing legal framework for management in support of the IPOA-IUU fishing, which have been carried out in Cambodia, Thailand and Micronesia.
Addressing Specific Issues
APFIC supports the development of the precautionary approach in tuna fisheries.[106]
An extensive review on current issues and proposed action is underway to strengthen APFIC’s activities in future, in line with the needs of member States in the region.
Other issues considered to be a priority include:
coastal community fisheries management, as the highest priority in the Asia-Pacific region;
inland fisheries management, to improve conservation and management measures to ensure food security in rural areas; and
aquaculture, which remains an important issue to be addressed by RFBs in all regions.
Established by an Agreement drawn up at Rome under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution and was approved by the FAO Conference at its Twenty-seventh Session and adopted by the Council at its Hundred and Fifth Session in November 1993. The Agreement entered into force upon the receipt of the tenth instrument of acceptance by the Director-General of the FAO, from Republic of Korea on 27 March 1996.
Map 9 - FAO Statistical Area 51 - IOTC Area of Competence
Map 10 - Statistical Area 57 - IOTC Area of Competence
Area of Competence
The area of competence of the Commission is defined as the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas, north of the Antarctic convergence, in so far as it is necessary to cover such seas for the purpose of conserving and managing stocks that migrate into or out of the Indian Ocean. This area coincides exactly with the FAO Statistical Areas 51 and 57 (See Maps 9 and 10).
Species Covered
The species covered by the Convention are as follows: yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore, Southern bluefin tuna, longtail tuna, kawakawa, frigate tuna, bullet tuna, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Indo-Pacific king mackerel, Indo-Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, Indo-Pacific sailfish, and swordfish.
Membership
The Convention is open for acceptance by Members and Associate Members of FAO that are (i) coastal States or Associate Members situated wholly or partly within the area; (ii) States responsible for the international relations of territories situated wholly or partly within the area covered by the Agreement; (iii) States or Associate Members whose vessels engage in fishing in the area of stocks covered by the Agreement; and (iv) regional economic integration organizations of which any State has transferred competence over matters covered by the Agreement. The Commission may, by a two-third majority of its members, admit other States which are Members of the United Nations or of any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency provided that they are coastal States situated wholly or partly within the area or States whose vessels engage in fishing in the area for stocks covered by the Agreement.
Members are: Australia, People’s Republic of China, Comoros, Eritrea, European Community, France, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Republic of, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Oman, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, United Kingdom.
Main Objectives and Activities
The main objectives of the Agreement are to promote cooperation among members with a view to ensuring through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilization of stocks as well as to encourage sustainable development of fisheries based on them. The Commission may be a two-third majority of the Members present and voting adopt conservation and management measures binding on its Members. Such regulatory measures are subject to objection procedure.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Regarding the 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement, the Secretariat is collecting data on all tuna fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean and coordinating this activity with FAO and the other tuna regional fisheries management bodies.
Although the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement may encourage some non-members to accede to IOTC, the Commission is not mandated by all its members to pursue implementation.
The IPOA on Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries is only an issue in the temperate zone, where IOTC recognises the priority of CCSBT in the management of southern bluefin tuna.
Regarding the IPOA on the Conservation and Management of Sharks, the Commission has authorised the Secretariat to collect statistical data on non-target, associated and dependent species, including sharks. This does not go the extent of conducting stock assessment because the Agreement provides a mandate on only 16 tuna and tuna-like species.
In connection with the IPOA on the Management of Fishing Capacity, resolutions have been taken to prevent capacity increase in certain targeted stocks. There have also been repeated calls for fleet reductions. The Secretariat is collecting data on all tuna fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean.
IOTC action in support of the IPOA-IUU fishing has included listings of vessels aimed at identifying IUU fishing vessels, port State control and trade documentation schemes. Establishment of a Compliance Committee is planned.
Addressing Specific Issues
The implementation of a precautionary approach to fisheries management is reflected in the acceptance of the principle of incorporating uncertainty in stock assessments, but this has not been implemented to date. Operational models will be used to assess the consequences of management.
Ecosystem-based fisheries management is pursued through requesting data on NTADs (however, it is rarely available), observer coverage of about 10 percent of vessels, and assessment of FAD deployment through tagging.
IUU catches are routinely estimated from vessel listings, activity reports (port visits) and trade documents.
To strengthen the organization’s capacity to deal more effectively with important conservation and management issues, funds have been secured from extra-budgetary sources for improvement of coastal State statistical systems and for tagging.
Regarding fleet capacity, assessment of effort is addressed actively as a complement to vessel listings.
To accommodate new entrants, IOTC encourages participation of States with financial constraints under the status of Cooperating Non-Contracting Party.
An IOTC trade documentation scheme covers frozen bigeye tuna not destined for canning.
Established by the FAO Council at its One hundered and seventheenth Session, 9 to 11 November 1999.
Area of Competence
The area of competence is the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Species Covered
All fisheries resources in the Area of the Commission.
Membership
Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.
Main Objectives and Activities
To promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Area of the Commission. At its First Session, in October 2001, the Commission agreed on its modus operandi and established two ad hoc working groups on aquaculture and stock assessment and fishery statistics. A technical meeting was held in May 2002, at which the Commission reviewed the status of fisheries development in its member countries with a view to establishing a targeted work plan for future years.
SEAFDEC was established in 1967 by the Agreement Establishing the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
Area of Competence
The area of competence is the Southeast Asian region. However, for data collection for the Fishery Statistical Bulletin, the area extends to cover the South China Sea Area, FAO Statistical Area 71 (See Map 2.).
Species Covered
SEAFDEC’s work covers all fishery resources within its area of competence.
Membership
The membership of SEAFDEC is open to the governments of all the Southeast Asian countries and Japan. Current members are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singpaore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Main Objectives and Activities
SEAFDEC aims specifically to develop the fishery potential in the region through training, research and information services in order to improve the food supply by rational utilization of the fisheries resources in the region. To achieve its objectives, the Center carries out the following functions.
Offers training courses, organizes workshops and seminars in fisheries technology, marine engineering, extension methodology, post-harvest technology and aquaculture.
Conducts research on fishing gear technology, fishing ground survey, post harvest technology and aquaculture, examines problems in relation to handling fish at sea and quality control and undertakes studies of fishery resources in the region.
Facilitates the transfer of technology to the countries in the region and provides information materials to the print and non-print media, including the publication of statistical bulletins and reports for the dissemination of survey, research and other data on fisheries and aquaculture.
An ASEAN-SEAFDEC Fisheries Consultative Group (FCG) mechanism was developed in 1998. Several programs have since been undertaken, taking into consideration the requirements of the ASEAN Member countries, and using technical capabilities of SEAFDEC. The mechanism also focuses on mobilizing of technical expertise and reducing gaps among the countries.
Achievement of sustainable fisheries development in the ASEAN region was the goal of the 2001 ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security in the New Millennium: “Fish for the People”. Common problems of the ASEAN region were identified, and the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Plan of Action’ on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN Region were adopted at Ministerial level,[107] to be used as basis for the formulation of national fishery policies and programmes.
Based upon the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Plan of Action’, SEAFDEC has formulated the Special 5-year Program on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN region, to be implemented from 2002 to 2005.
The Programme is comprised of a series of projects to support the ASEAN Member countries in the implementation of the Resolution and Plan of Action. The Programme also involves other fishery-related institutions, having common goal in achieving sustainable fisheries and food security in the ASEAN region.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
To support implementation of the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, SEAFDEC collaborates with the Member countries of ASEAN in implementing the program on Regionalization of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Program consists of 4 phases:
I Responsible Fishing Operations;
II Aquaculture Development;
III Fisheries Management; and
IV Post-harvest Technology and Trade.
Regional Guidelines for Phases I and II were published and distributed to all ASEAN countries. Finalization of Regional Guidelines of Phase III is now in process, and activities for phase IV are yet to start. SEAFDEC will continue to support countries in the implementation of the Code of Conduct.
Regarding the IPOA on the Conservation and Management of Sharks, SEAFDEC organized a Regional Meeting on Fish Trade and Environment in October 2002 with participation from ASEAN and SEAFDEC Member countries, where the issues relating to the IPOA were discussed.
SEAFDEC in collaboration with FAO organized a Regional Workshop on the Excess Fishing Capacity in November, 2000 in order to identify related opportunities and constraints as well as actions required for the management of fishing capacity in Southeast Asia. As follow-up of the Workshop, a Regional Technical Consultation on Indicators for Sustainable Fisheries Management in the ASEAN Region was organized in May 2001. Outcomes from the Consultation were discussed during the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference, organized in November 2001, and were incorporated in the formulation of the Special 5-year Follow-up Programme.
In addition, a project on Identification of Indicators for Sustainable Development and Management of Capture Fisheries in the ASEAN Region will be implemented from 2002-2005.
Addressing Specific Issues
The Special 5-year Program on sustainable Fisheries for Food Security for the ASEAN region, noted above, addresses the implementation of the precautionary approach to fisheries management. Ecosystem-based fisheries management is included in the Program on Promotion of Mangrove-friendly Aquaculture in Southeast Asia, implemented by the Aquaculture Department of SEAFDEC in collaboration with the ASEAN Member Countries since 2000.
The issue of IUU fishing was discussed among the ASEAN-SEAFDEC member countries during various meetings for the program on Regionalization of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries in the ASEAN Region. So far, there is no regional agreement regarding this issue.
To strengthen the organization’s capacity to deal more effectively with important conservation and management issues, formulation and implementation of the Program under the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Fisheries Consultative Group (FCG) Mechanism has helped mobilized technical expertise among SEAFDEC and the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Member Countries since 1998. Collaboration with other international/regional organization, including the staff exchange program among the institutions, also strengthens organisational capacity. The issue of fishing capacity was discussed in various meetings organized by SEAFDEC. The program on Identification of Indicators for Sustainable Development and Management of Capture Fisheries in the ASEAN Region was formulated and is currently undertaken as part of regional efforts to manage fishing capacity. The program will be undertaken from 2002 to 2005.
Established by the Western Indian Ocean Tuna Organization Convention, signed at Mahé, Seychelles, on 19 June 1991 and entered into force in 1994.
Area of Competence
The area of competence of the Organization as described in Annex II of the Convention starts along 11°N latitude from the Eastern coast of India and through the following coordinates: 11°N latitude to 85°E longitude and 3°N latitude to 85°E longitude and 3°N latitude to 80°E longitude and 45°S latitude to 80°E longitude and 45°S latitude to 30°E longitude and then proceed along meridian 30°E to the coast of Africa. This area coincides with the FAO Statistical Area 51 (see Map 2).
Species Covered
The species covered by the Convention are as follows: yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore tuna, southern bluefin tuna, longtail tuna, frigate tuna, bullet tuna, kawakawa, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Indo-Pacific king mackerel, Indo-Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, Indo-Pacific sailfish, and swordfish.
Membership
The membership of the Organization is open to the funding States (Comoros, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania). Any independent coastal State bordering the Western Indian Ocean whose territory is situated principally in the Western Indian Ocean region may also be admitted by unanimous approval of the parties to the Convention. The present members of WIOTO are Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros and India.
Main Objectives and Activities
The Organization’s objectives are (a) harmonization of policies with respect to fisheries; (b) relations with distant water fishing nations; (c) fisheries surveillance and enforcement; (d) fisheries development; and (e) access to exclusive economic zones of members. There are no provisions in the Convention for establishing regulatory measures in the area covered by the Organization. The First Ministerial Meeting of WIOTO was held in August 1994.
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[106] This is evidenced in
the discussions held in Phuket, Thailand, 7-15 March 2000. [107] They were adopted by the Ministers responsible for fisheries in the ASEAN and SEAFDEC Member countries. [108] Information is unchanged from FIPL Circular 908. |
