Background
Since the first meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs) or Arrangements took place in February 1999, four others have been held bienially adjacent to the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI). These meetings have provided unique opportunities for all RFBs established both within and outside the framework of FAO.
During the 2005 meeting of RFBs, participants agreed to change the meeting title to "RFB Secretariats Network". This change would emphasize informality, yet convey the notion of ongoing intersessional work during the two years between formal meetings. Based on this agreement, the first meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (RSN) was held in March 2007 as the fifth biennial meeting among RFBs.
Objective
The RSN, in name and in spirit, was established to acknowledge and underscore the broad and continuous consultations among RFBs as a virtual group even during the intersessional periods. As such, the RSN is expected to function as the common and standing platform among RFBs to exchange views and information. In order to enhance this role, a dedicated RSN Web site would be created as a tool to facilitate and coordinate information sharing. Through the Web site, the RSN can avoid duplication of members'activities, promote the RSN's visibility or activities and provide information on the biennial meetings such as schedules, agendas and documents.
RSN and FAO
RFB meetings should be considered as autonomous initiatives among RFBs rather than formal FAO meetings although FAO provides the venue and secretariat services in order to help strengthen the function of RFBs. FAO's role is, therefore, as a facilitator only. The main organizer of the meetings is the Chair, currently Mr Kjartan Hoydal, Secretary of North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC). The Chair proposes a draft agenda to RSN Members, based on areas of interest indicated at the previous meeting, and makes meeting arrangements with the support of the FAO secretary of the RSN. There are two Vice-Chairperson posts which are currently held by the Secretariats of the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
All inquiries should be made directly to the Chairperson, and/or a Secretary.
RSN/RFB Meetings
Since the inaugural session in 1999, the biennial RFB meetings have facilitated discussion and information sharing among all bodies. These meetings address the outcomes of COFI and focus on issues of major importance to the RFBs, including the role of RFBs in global fisheries governance. A major thrust with respect to strengthened cooperation among FAO and non-FAO RFBs and arrangements was provided by the 1998 High-Level Panel of External Experts in Fisheries, appointed by the Director-General of FAO to consider, inter alia, future challenges in fisheries governance. The panel addressed FAO's role in working to encourage more coherent management approaches among RFBs, and recommended that FAO should, inter alia, convene a special meeting of FAO and non-FAO bodies in order to:
- identify and address common problems and constraints;
- develop strategies and mechanisms to address constraints;
- share experiences and lessons learned; and
- improve the effectiveness of the RFBs.
In addition, the 1998 Progress Report on the Implementation of Conference Resolution 13/97 (Review of FAO Statutory Bodies and the Strengthening of FAO Regional Fishery Bodies) noted that, despite a need for effective RFB cooperation, there was no formal working relationship between COFI and non-FAO RFBs. And while the report acknowledged significant improvements in the performance of RFBs over the last decade, it stated that many factors hinder these bodies from being more effective. The report also noted the recommendation made by the High-Level Panel of External Expert above mentioned. The Twenty-third COFI in 1999 commended FAO for conveing a meeting of FAO and Non-FAO RFBs and recommended that such meetings be held on regular basis.
The reports of each meeting, together with an outline of the substantial agenda items addressed, appear below.
1. Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements (Rome, 11-12 February 1999)
FAO organized the first meeting of FAO and non-FAO RFBs in February 1999 prior to the Twenty-third Session of COFI, which was commended by the COFI. Since then, biennial meetings of RFBs have been facilitated by FAO at the time of COFI.
Issues addressed:
- major issues affecting the performance of RFBs
- a multifaceted approach to fishery status and trends reporting
- RFBs or arrangements as vehicles for good fisheries governance
Report of First Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements (February 1999)
2. Second Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements (Rome, 20-21 February 2001)
The second meeting of FAO and non-FAO RFBs was held prior to the Twenty-fourth Session of COFi, but resulted in the decision that future meetings should be scheduled after COFI in order to better connect the impact of COFI decisions on the work of RFBs. It also agreed to change the title of the Meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements to "Meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies".
Issues addressed:
- review of some external factors that may impact on the work of RFBs and fisheries management
- indicators to assess the performance of RFBs
- cooperation in global trends and status reporting in fisheries
- illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- developments in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) criteria for listing commercially-exploited aquatic species
- opportunities and challenges for coordinated activities on ecosystem-based management of fisheries Report of the Second Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements
Report of the Second Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements
3. Third Meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies (Rome, 3-4 March 2003)
The Third Meetin of RFBs was held immediately after the Twenty-fifth Session of COFI.
Issues addressed:
- review of the decisions of the Twenty-fifth Session of COFI relevant to RFBs
- summary information on the role of RFBs
- external factors affecting the management of fisheries
- status of partnerships between RFBs and FAO to develop the Fisheries Resources Monitoring System (FIRMS)
- implications for RFBs from the World Summit on Sustainable Development
- approaches to incorporate ecosystems considerations into fisheries management by RFBs
- relations between RFBs and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Report of the Third Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements
4. Fourth Meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies (Rome, 14-15 March 2005)
At this meeting, acknowledgin the broad consulations undertaken by the Chairpeson in preparing for the meeting, and mindful that this constituted a virtual group during intersessional periods rather than a single event every two years, it was agreed to change the title of the meeting to "RFB Secretariats Network".
Issues addressed:
- review of the decisions of the Twenty-sixth Session of COFI relevant to RFBs
- the role of RFBs
- external factors affecting fisheries management
- approaches to incorporate ecosystems considerations into fisheries management by RFBs
- harmonization of catch documentation
- relations between RFBs and UNEP
- status of FIRMS and other related matters
Report of the Fourth Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements
5. First Meeting of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (Rome, 12-13 March 2007)
The First Meeting of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network took place immediately following COFI 27, representing the fifth meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies since 1999.
Issues addressed:
- review of the decisions of the Twenty-seventh Session of COFI relating to RFBs
- role of RFBs including UNFSA 2006 outcomes, small-scale and inland fisheries and RFB performance
- external factors affecting fisheries management including IUU fishing, overcapacity, catch document harmonization and Ramsar Convention Resolution IX.4
- approach to incorporate ecosystems considerations into fisheries management by RFBs
- status of FIRMS
- advice and future work
Report of the First Meeting of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network
6. Second Meeting of Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network (Rome, 9-10 March 2009)
The second meeting of RSN took place immediately following the 28th session of COFI.
Issues addressed:
- review of the decisions of the Twenty-eighth Session of COFI relating to RFBs
- factors affecting fishery management including IUU Fishing, overcapacity and UNGA Resolution 61/105
- responsible fisheries and management in aquatic, particularly marine, ecosystem
- role of RFBs including RFMO/RFB performance enhancement, small-scale and inland fisheries
- status of FIRMS and CWP development
- RSN Webpage
- advice and future work