Mission

The immediate objective of the International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA-CAPACITY) is for States and regional fisheries organizations, to achieve world-wide preferably by 2003, but not later than 2005, an efficient, equitable and transparent management of fishing capacity. Inter alia, States and regional fisheries organizations confronted with an overcapacity problem, where capacity is undermining achievement of long-term sustainability outcomes, should endeavour initially to limit at present level and progressively reduce the fishing capacity applied to affected fisheries.

Approaches

The management of fishing capacity should be based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and take into consideration the following major principles and approaches:
The implementation of the International Plan of Action should be based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, particularly Article 5, in relation to enhancing the ability of developing countries, to develop their own fisheries as well as to participate in high seas fisheries, including access to such fisheries, in accordance with their legitimate rights and their obligations under international law.

• Participation
• Phased implementation
• Holistic approach
• Conservation
• Priority
• New technologies
• Mobility
• Transparency
• Participation

Legal foundation

The IPOA-CAPACITY is voluntary. It has been elaborated within the framework of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries as envisaged by Article 2 (d). The provisions of Article 3 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries apply to the interpretation and application of this International Plan of Action and its relationship with other international instruments.
The IPOA-CAPACITY document is in furtherance of the commitment of all States to implement the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. States and regional fisheries organizations should apply this document consistently with international law and within the framework of the respective competencies of the organizations concerned. The International Plan of Action constitutes an element of fishery conservation and sustainable management.

 

 IPOA - International Plan of Action for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries. International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks. International Plan of Action for the management of fishing capacity.

Funding

The IPOAs are to be implemented by countries. As a consequence, their implementation should be funded by countries. The FAO Regular Programme funds only a "watching brief" on implementation, and the monitoring of the implementation and reporting to COFI.

Through its "International Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources" project, FAO also receives from the Government of Japan extra-budgetary funds to support the implementation of some of the IPOAs