FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Regional fishery bodies (RFB)

Regional Fishery Bodies Summary Descriptions

Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC)

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

MissionObjectiveThe main objective of the Commission is to promote the sustainable utilization of the living marine resources of the South West Indian Ocean region, by the proper management and development of the living marine resources, without prejudice to the sovereign rights of coastal States and to address common problems of fisheries management and development faced by the Members of the Commission.

The Commission has due regard for and promote the application of the provisions of the FAO Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries, including the precautionary approach and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management. FunctionsThe functions and responsibilities of the Commission include:

to contribute to improved governance through institutional arrangements that encourage cooperation amongst members;
to help fishery managers in the development and implementation of fishery management systems that take due account of environmental, social and economic concerns;
to keep under review the state of the fishery resources in the area and the industries based on them;
to promote, encourage and coordinate research related to the living marine resources in the area and draw up programmes required for this purpose, and to organize such research as may be necessary;
to promote the collection, exchange, dissemination and analysis or study of statistical, biological, environmental and socio-economic data and other marine fishery information;
to provide a sound scientific basis to assist Members in taking fisheries management decisions;
to provide advice on management measures to member governments and competent fisheries organizations;
to provide advice and promote co-operation on monitoring, control and surveillance, including joint activities, especially as regards issues of a regional or sub-regional nature;
to encourage, recommend and coordinate training in the areas of interest of the Commission;
to promote and encourage the utilization of the most appropriate fishing craft, gear, fishing techniques and post harvesting technologies.

Area of competence

SWIOFC area of competence - National waters

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Species and stocks coverageAll living marine resources without prejudice to the management and responsibilities and authority of other competent fisheries and other living marine resources management organizations or arrangements in the area. Legal frameworkSWIOFC was established in 2004 by Resolution 1/127 of the FAO Council under Article VI 1 of the FAO Constitution. Its Rules of Procedures were adopted by the Commission at its First session in 2005.
Resolution and Statutes LanguagesEnglish, French. Organizations involvedThe Commission is composed of such Members and Associate Members of the Organization that are coastal States, whose territories are situated wholly or partly within the area of the Commission, and notify in writing to the Director-General their interest in becoming a member of the Commission.

Current membership: Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, United Rep. of Tanzania, Yemen.

StructurePrincipal bodyThe governing body of SWIOFC is the Commission. It is composed of all Members. Meetings of the Commission are held at least once every two years. To date there have been two sessions of the Commission.
Scientific CommitteeThe Commission has established a Scientific Committee to consider the state of fisheries in the area of competence and to advise on the scientific basis for possible regulatory measures to be considered for adoption by the members of the Commission. Working PartiesThe Commission may establish on an ad hoc basis such other committees or working parties as it may consider necessary on problems of major importance or of a specialised nature. The Commission has established one working party on fisheries data and statistics. SecretariatThe Secretariat is provided by FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS). It is based in Harare, Zimbabwe. SWIOFC is a member of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network that meets biennially.

Activities and meetings

To date two sessions of the Commission, one session of the Scientific Committee, one working party on fisheries data and statistics as well as several workshops on bycatch in prawn fisheries, ecosystem approaches to fisheries management, safety of fishers at sea, improvement of vessel registration, impact of fishing on turtle mortality and use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) have been either organised or supported. The Second Session of SWIOFC, Maputo, August 2006, decided on a workplan for 2007 for the Commission which includes the preparations for a Conference on the contribution of fisheries development in the South West Indian Ocean to the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2008.

Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) - Special Session

Feb 27-28, 2013

SWIOFC - Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) - 5th Session

Mar 13-16, 2011

SWIOFC - Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) - Scientific Commission ...

Nov 29-Dec 02, 2010

SWIOFC - Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) - 4th Session

Sep 23-25, 2009

SWIOFC - Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) - Scientific Commission ...

Sep 16-19, 2008

SWIOFC - Regional Workshop on the Implementation of an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries ...

Jun 23-26, 2008