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  1. Mission
  2. Area of competence
  3. Species and stocks coverage
  4. Legal framework
  5. Languages
  6. Organizations involved
  7. Structure
  8. Activities and meetings
  9. Publications
  10. Contact
MissionObjectivesThe objective of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) is to ensure, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of the global Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) fishery.
The Commission:
  • is responsible for setting a total allowable catch (TAC) and its allocation among the members;
  • takes decisions to support and implement fishery management;
  • acts as a coordination mechanism for member's activities in relation to the SBT fishery.
 To help ensure compliance with the TAC and minimize Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the CCSBT also adopted a number of monitoring, control and surveillance measures, including: a Catch Documentation Scheme; Monitoring of SBT transshipments at sea; a VMS resolution; Records of authorized fishing vessels, carrier vessels and farms; and a Resolution on Actions Plans to Ensure Compliance with Conservation and Management Measures. FunctionsIn pursuit of this objective, the CCSBT performs a number of functions. It is responsible for:
  • setting a total allowable catch and its allocation among the members;
  • considers and administers regulatory measures to meet Convention objectives;
  • conducts and coordinates a scientific research program aimed at providing information to support the Commission's management objectives (the program is a mixture of member managed activities and activities managed directly by the CCSBT Secretariat);
  • takes decisions to support and implement fishery management;
  • provides a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to the conservation objectives of the Convention;
  • acts as a coordination mechanism for member's activities in relation to the SBT fishery;
  • fosters activities directed towards the conservation of ecologically related species (living marine species which are associated with the SBT fishery) and bycatch species;
  • encourages non members engaged in the fishery, to accede, apply for cooperating non-membership, or participate as observers in Commission activities;
  • cooperates and liaises with other regional tuna fishery management organizations in areas of mutual interest.
 Area of competenceThe area of competence is the entire geographical range of Southern Bluefin Tuna:
CCSBT area of competence - High seas, National waters
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The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.
 Species and stocks coverageSouthern Bluefin Tuna Legal frameworkEstablished by the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, which entered into force on 20 May 1994. Signatories are Australia, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. The Fishing Entity of Taiwan Province of China participates in the Commission's activities through an Extended Commission created by a Commission resolution.
http://www.ccsbt.org/docs/pdf/about_the_commission/convention.pdf LanguagesEnglish, Japanese. Organizations involved

Member: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea.

The Commission has created an Extended Commission, which provides for the participation of the Fishing Entity of Taiwan Province of China. The European Union, Philippines and South Africa are cooperating non-members. StructurePrincipal bodyThe Commission has legal personality and enjoys in its relations with other international organizations and in the territories of the parties such legal capacity as may be necessary to perform its functions and achieve its ends. Each member country is represented on the Commission by not more than three delegates, accompanied by experts and advisers. The Commission meets annually.

The Commission has created an Extended Commission, which provides for the participation of the Fishing Entity of Taiwan Province of China. The Extended Commission makes recommendations to the Commission for decision. Scientific CommitteeThe Scientific Committee is an advisory body with a number of duties. These include analysing the status and trends of southern bluefin tuna population; coordinating research; making recommendations to the Commission where appropriate. Working groupsThe Ecologically Related Species Working Group reports to the Commission through the Scientific Committee. The Ecologically Related Species Working Group makes recommendations to the Commission concerning species related to the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) fishery, with specific reference to: (a) species (both fish and non-fish) that may be affected by SBT fisheries operations; (b) predator and prey species that may affect the condition of the SBT stock. Finance and Administration CommitteeThe Finance and Administration Committee makes recommendations to the Commission on the financial management of Commission activities, including budgets for general operating activities and scientific research. Compliance CommitteeThe Compliance Committee meets annually immediately prior to the annual meeting of the Extended Commission. The Compliance Committee is composed of two representatives from each of the members and cooperating non-members of the Extended Commission. Its functions are to:
  • Monitor, review and assess compliance with all conservation and management measures adopted by the Extended Commission.
  • Exchange information on member and cooperating non-member activities in relation to compliance activities by members and cooperating non-members of the Extended Commission.
  • Report to the Extended Commission on the implementation of compliance measures by members and cooperating non-members.
  • Make recommendations to the Extended Commission on new compliance measures, including measures to address non compliance.
  • Make recommendations to the Extended Commission on cooperation in compliance activities and information exchange.
SecretariatThe Secretariat functions include receiving and transmitting the Commission's official communications; facilitating the collection of data necessary to accomplish the objective of the Convention; preparing administrative and other reports for the Commission and the Scientific Committee; and the management of some scientific research. Activities and meetingsCCSBT activities take place under the different bodies. Information on their activities, programmes and meetings can be found on the CCSBT Web site:
  1. Meetings schedule
  2. Research programmes
Publications A number of reports and publications are produced under the auspices of the CCSBT, mainly: Commission reports, Scientific Committee reports, Compliance Committee reports, data produced.

Those publications are available on CCSBT Web site: Contact

CCSBT

PO Box 37
Deakin West
ACT 2600
Australia

Telephone: (+61) 2 62828396

Fax: (+61) 2 62828407

Email: bmacdonald@ccsbt.org

Web site: http://www.ccsbt.org

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