FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Regional fishery bodies (RFB)

Regional Fishery Bodies Summary Descriptions

Commission for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPESCAALC)

Mission
Area of competence
Species and stocks coverage
Legal framework
Languages
Organizations involved
Structure
Activities and meetings
- Commissions
Publications
Contacts

MissionObjective The general objective of the Commission is to promote programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilization of inland fisheries resources; assist Member Governments in the Region in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources; support the development of aquaculture, and; encourage education and training to reach these objectives. Functions The terms of reference of the Commission are:

to promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys and programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilisation of inland fishery resources;
to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources; and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
to encourage efforts on a national basis and, when appropriate, to coordinate such efforts on a regional basis with a view to preserve the quality of the water;
to assist in the development of aquaculture and stock improvement, including the control of fish diseases, the importation and introduction of exotic species;
to assist in appraising the economic and recreational values of inland fisheries and their development;
to promote and assist in the utilisation of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques;
to promote and assist with activities for the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
to encourage education and training through the establishment or improvement of national and regional institutions and by the promotion and the organization of symposia, seminars, study tours and training centres;
to assist in the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis of data related to inland fisheries;
to assist Member Governments in formulating national and regional programmes to be implemented through sources of international aid to help achieve the objectives referred to in the preceding paragraphs.

Area of competenceInland waters of member countries.

COPESCAALC area of competence - Inland 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 coverage All species in inland waters of member countries. Legal framework

COPESCAL (now COPESCAALC) was established in 1976 by Resolution 4/70 of the FAO Council under Article VI-1 of the FAO Constitution. Its statutes were approved by the Council in Resolution 4/70 and its Rules of Procedures were adopted by the Commission at its First session in 1979.
COPESCAL - Statutes LanguagesEnglish, French, Spanish. Organizations involvedMembership is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which are serviced by the Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean. Eligible Member Nations and Associate Members shall notify the Director-General of the FAO of their desire to be considered as Members.

Current membership: Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinat.State), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Boliv Rep of Venezuela.

StructurePrincipal Body The main body is the Commission, which normally meets every two years. Secretariat

The Secretariat is provided by FAO. It is based at the Regional office for Latin America, and the Caribbean in Santiago, Chile. Its website is: http://www.rlc.fao.org/

COPESCAALC is a member of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network that meets biennially.

Activities and meetings

Considered as a priority is the need for COPESCAALC to strengthen itself, including through the modification of its Statute and the identification of extra budgetary funding mechanisms, to address more effectively the conservation and management issues of inland fisheries resources in the Region.

Commissions