South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) (SAFR-735)

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Without prejudice to the sovereign rights of coastal States, the Commission shall promote the sustainable utilization of the living marine resources of the area of the Commission, by the proper management and development of the living marine resources, and address common problems of fisheries management and development faced by the Members of the Commission.
To this end, the Commission shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

• 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;
• to promote liaison with all competent institutions within the area served by the Commission and adjacent waters, including in particular any agreement or arrangement for the management and conservation of the high seas non-tuna fisheries resources of the Southern Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organization and the Commission for the Conservation of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources;
• to seek funds and other resources to ensure the long-term operations of the Commission;
• to draw up its plan of work;
• to carry out such other activities as may be necessary for the Commission to achieve its objectives, as defined above.

The 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.

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South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission