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Regional Fishery Bodies Summary Descriptions

Joint Technical Commission of the Maritime Front (CTMFM)

Introduction
Objectives
History
Legal framework
Area of competence
Species and stocks coverage
Languages
Members
Structure
Publications
Media Materials
Further information

Introduction

The Joint Technical Commission of the Maritime Front (CTMFM) is a regional fisheries management organization established by the “Treaty of the Rio de la Plata and its Maritime Front” (TRPMF) in 1973, which also defines the area covered under the Commission’s mandate, known as the “Common Fishing Zone”. The term “Maritime Front” is used to refer to the sector of marine and oceanic waters extending towards the ocean from the external limit of the Rio de la Plata.

Objectives

TThe main objectives of the Commission are defined in Article 80 of the TRPMF, and expounded in Article 82. The Commission is responsible for conducting studies and adopting and coordinating plans and measures for the conservation, preservation and rational exploitation of living resources and the protection of the marine environment of the Common Fishing Zone established in article 73 of the TRPMF.

In order to carry out these tasks, the Treaty assigns the following functions to the Commission: (a) Establish and periodically adjust catch volumes per species; (b) Promote the joint conduct of scientific studies and research; (c) Make recommendations and submit projects to ensure that the value and balance of bio-ecological systems are maintained; (d) Establish standards and measures for the rational exploitation of species in the common zone and the prevention and elimination of pollution; (e) Draw up plans for the preservation, conservation and development of living resources in the common zone, among others.

In addition, the Commission compiles fishery statistics from its members, coordinates research plans, promotes joint stock assessments and, based on the principles of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, establishes regulatory management measures.

In CTMFM area, the Commission is responsible for conducting studies and adopting and coordinating plans and measures for the conservation, preservation and rational exploitation of living resources and the protection of the marine environment.

CTMFM, by arrangement with CARP, also conducts research and adopts joint research activities and management decisions regarding the whitemouth croaker, stripped weakfish and their accompanying species in the entire area of the TRPMF since the geographical area of distribution of said species includes part of the Rio de la Plata and part of the Common Fishing Zone.

History

Several Agreements preceded the signing of the Rio de la Plata and its Maritime Front Treaty in 1973 (TRPMF) that created the Joint Technical Commission of the Maritime Front (CTMFM): (i) The Ramirez-Saenz Peña Protocol or Protocol on Navigation and Use of the Waters of the Rio de la Plata, signed on the 5th of January 1910, was the first legal system of the Rio de la Plata; (ii) The Joint Declaration of Argentina and Uruguay signed on January 30, 1961, defined the external limits of the Rio de la Plata and fixed the base line of demarcation of the territorial sea and its adjacent and contiguous zones; (iii) The Treaty of Limits of the Uruguay River signed on April 7, 1961, established the internal limit of the Rio de la Plata. Nevertheless, terms on the jurisdiction inside the newly established boundary limits still had to be agreed upon.

The TRPMF solved the area of competence issue by establishing zones of exclusive jurisdiction and zones of common jurisdiction. For the administration of the latter, it created two bilateral Commissions: The Administrative Commission of the Rio de la Plata (CARP), to administrate the Rio de la Plata, and CTMFM, to manage fisheries and protect the marine environment in the Common Fishing Zone established adjacent to the river.

Legal framework

Area of competenceThe Argentinean-Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ) extends beyond 12 nautical miles measured from the corresponding coastal baselines, for duly registered vessels flying their flag. The Zone is determined by two arcs of circumference of a radius of 200 nautical miles, the centers of which are located at Punta del Este (Uruguay) and Punta Rasa del Cabo San Antonio (Argentina).

CTMFM area of competence - EEZ

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The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.

Species and stocks coverage

The Commission collects, updates and publishes landing statistics from catches reported monthly by Member States in the Treaty area. Currently, some 80 species are reported of which 20% are shark and ray species. In the last decade, landings from the Treaty area averaged 128,000 tons per year. The composition of catches shows a marked predominance of coastal species (70%).

In 2019, resources with management measures established by the Commission accounted for 82% of all landings reported. The main fishery resources are whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) and stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa).

Composition of landings in the Treaty area, 2019 (t) December 31st 2019
ENGLISH NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	TOTAL	%
Whitemouth croaker	Micropogonias furnieri	29.567	29,3
Argentine hake	Merluccius hubbsi	23.796	23,6
Stripped weakfish	Cynoscion guatucupa	8.916	8,8
Brazilian flathead	Percophis brasiliensis	6.865	6,8
Red porgy	Pagrus pagrus	4.709	4,7
Flounder	Paralichthys patagonicus, Paralichthys orbignyanus, Xystreurys rasile	3.566	3,5
Coastal rays	Sympterygia bonapartii, Sympterygia acuta, Atlantoraja castelnaui, Atlantoraja cyclophora, Psammobatis bergi, Psammobatis extenta, Psammobatis rutrum, Rioraja agassizi, Dipturus chilensis	3.228	3,2
Blackbelly rosefish	Helicolenus dactylopterus	2.737	2,7
Skates	Amblyraja doellojuradoi, Atlantoraja platana, Bathyraja albomaculata, Bathyraja brachyurops, Bathyraja cousseauae, Bathyraja griseocauda, Bathyraja macloviana, Bathyraja multispinnis, Bathyraja scaphiops, Psammobatis normani, Psammobatis rudis	2.086	2,1
Narrownose smooth-hound	Mustelus schmitti	1.851	1,8
Angular angel shark	Squatina guggenheim	1.713	1,7
Patagonian grenadier	Macruronus magellanicus	1.669	1,7
King weakfish	Macrodon ancylodon	1.427	1,4
Argentine shortfin squid	Illex argentinus	1.165	1,2
Atlantic chub mackerel	Scomber colias	707	0,7
Other		6.949	6,9
TOTAL		100.950	100,0

LanguagesSpanish. Members

Member: Argentina, Uruguay.

StructureThe Commission: it consists of five delegates from each party who may be assisted by advisers. It meets in plenary sessions once a month, with active participation by the delegations of both parties. Three of the five delegates from each party are required to create a quorum. It has a President and a Vice-president. The presidency is alternated on a yearly basis between the appointed Presidents of the Delegations of Argentina and Uruguay. Management and administrative decisions are adopted in plenary. Each delegation has one vote voiced by the respective President. It receives scientific advice from the national fishery institutions and academics of both member countries.

Secretariat: it is formed of a Technical Secretary and an Administrative Secretary to channel and organize all preparatory work and to present it in the plenary sessions for the analysis of the Delegates of both parties.

Sub-commissions: they are in charge of the preparatory work, which is divided in four subjects (i) Living Resources; (ii) Environmental; (iii) Legal and (iv) Administrative Issues.

Working groups: The enacting of management measures is based on the scientific advice provided by the national fishery institutions of the Parties and Academia representatives that take part of working group meetings according to a previously arranged schedule. CTMFM convenes meeting of six working groups that provide assessment on different topics regarding fishery resources and environmental issues. Publications

Media Materials