COMMODITIES AND TRADE

CCP:SD (Cat. 1)

Consultative Sub-Committee on Surplus Disposal (ESC-702)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Twenty-third Session (1954), with the decision that it should meet in Washington, D.C., USA.

Purpose

The Sub-Committee's terms of reference were laid down by the CCP at its Twenty-third Session and restated at its Thirty-first and Forty-fourth Sessions. They require it to keep developments in the disposal of agricultural surpluses under review, and to assist Member Nations in developing suitable means of surplus disposal; to provide a forum for consultations and notifications of food aid transactions of Member Nations including usual marketing requirements, as listed in the register attached to the terms of reference, and any other types of transactions subsequently agreed to by CCP. In essence, the purpose of the Sub-Committee is to provide a forum for the examination of any difficulty that may arise in light of the Guidelines and Principles of Surplus Disposal as endorsed by the Conference and to promote observance of the principles recommended by FAO.

First Session

July 1954.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of FAO.

The present Membership is:

Working Language

English.

Rules of Procedure

Revised rules were adopted at the Sixty-fifth Session (1960). The CCP, at its Thirty-third Session, made amendments to the rules of the Sub-Committee which the latter subsequently adopted.

Pattern of Sessions

Approximately four per year.

Achievement 2000-01

The Sub-Committee continued its regular review of notifications of food aid transactions to ensure that this assistance does not adversely affect commercial trade and does not create disincentives to domestic production in the recipient countries. A recent major accomplishment by the Sub-Committee was the publication and distribution of Reporting procedures and consultative obligations under the FAO principles of surplus disposal: A guide for members of the FAO Consultative Subcommittee on Surplus Disposal. The Sub-Committee is currently reviewing all procedural aspects of its notification and consultative activities with a view to streamlining these, taking advantage of developments in communications.

CCP:RI (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Rice (ESC-703)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Twenty-sixth Session (1955), the Intergovernmental Group on Rice was originally called the Consultative Sub-Committee on the Economic Aspects of Rice and later the Study Group on Rice.

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on the economic aspects of rice, paying particular attention to any special difficulties which exist or are likely to arise in the international trade in rice.

First Session

November 1956

Membership

Opened to all Members and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production, consumption of and trade in rice. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Members having attended the Fortieth Session:

Working Languages

English, French and Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised Rules of Procedures were adopted at the Twenty-fifth Session (April 1982).

Pattern of Sessions

Once per biennium.

Achievement 2000-01

Reviewed the situation in world rice production, utilization, stocks and prices in 2000-2001 and the outlook for 2001-2002.

Reviewed major developments in government rice policies during the 1999-2000 period within the context of the Guidelines for National and International Action on Rice.

Discussed matters related to the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).

Examined the implications of the recommendations of the 62^nd Session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) relative to the mandate and operational procedures of the Intergovernmental Groups.

CCP:GR (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Grains (ESC-709)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Twenty-eighth Session (1957).

Purpose

To consider matters relating to all grains, other than rice, including review of national grain policies and their international effects. To study the production and consumption of, and trade in, grains. To consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise. The Group gives special emphasis to problems related to coarse grains, to grains used as animal feed, and to developing countries. The Group is also designated an ICB for purposes of submitting projects for financing by the Common Fund for Commodities on grains, pulses, roots and tubers.

First Session

May 1957.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of FAO that are substantially interested in the supply, utilization and/or trade in grains. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council. At its Forty-eighth Session (1967), the Council approved the participation of the USSR in the Group.

Members having attended the Twenty-ninth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised rules were adopted at the Twenty-first and Twenty-seventh Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

Normally once per biennium.

Achievement 2000-01

The Twenty-ninth Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Grains was held jointly with the Intergovernmental Groups on Rice, Meat, and Oilseeds, Oils and Fats from 3-5 July 2001. The Group conducted a review of the world supply and demand situation and outlook for wheat and coarse grains; reviewed the projections to the year 2010 for the supply, utilization and trade in grains, and noted the decision of the CCP to include pulses and roots and tubers in its mandate. Endorsed proposals to hold separate sessions, when possible, and to focus on significant topical issues in order to enhance the work of the Group. Supported the idea of holding commodity conferences in conjunction with Group meetings with a view to improving the understanding of broad commodity issues and encouraging private sector participation.

CCP:CI (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Citrus Fruit (ESC-710)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-second Session (1959) for a period of two years. Following an extension, the period was indefinitely extended by the CCP at its Thirty-eighth Session (1965).

Purpose

To study problems affecting the long-term equilibrium of production and consumption of citrus products and the economic aspects of problems arising from the perishable nature of citrus fruit. To consider how best to deal with any special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise.

First Session

May 1960

Membership

Open to all Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption, and trade in, citrus fruit and citrus products. Interested non-Member Nations of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Members having attended the Twelfth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised rules of procedure were adopted at the Second Session (1961), and at the Seventh Session (1986).

Pattern of Sessions

1960, 1961, 1963, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998.

Achievement 2000-01

There was activity in the 2000-01 biennium.

CCP:JU (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres (ESC-712)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-sixth Session (1963).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on, and studies of, the economic aspects of production, marketing, trade and consumption of jute, kenaf and allied fibres; to study marketing practices and their improvement; to consider the causes of disequilibrium between production and consumption; to develop suitable measures to deal with special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise.

First Session

September 1964.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, jute, kenaf and allied fibres. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended Thirty-third session; held jointly with the Thirty-first Session on the IGG on Hard Fibres:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised rules were adopted at the Seventeenth Session (December 1981).

Pattern of Sessions

Biannual to 1976, then normally annually until 1995 and then once in two years.

Achievement 2000-01

The Session was held jointly with the Thirty-first Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibres in conjunction with a Consultation on Natural Fibres. It reviewed short and long-term prospects for natural fibres, including reviews of markets for jute products in Europe and of sisal and jute products in China. It also conducted an informal exchange of information on various aspects of natural fibres. It recommended further and more detailed analyses where needed on the contribution which the production and trade of natural fibres make towards household food security. It concluded that the consultation on natural fibres held in conjunction with the Joint meeting had been very useful. The meeting affirmed that exports from non-governmental and private sectors could make a significant contribution to sessions of the Intergovernmental Groups.

CCP:OF (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Oilseeds, Oils and Fats (ESC-714)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Thirty-eighth Session (1965). This body was formerly the Group on Coconut and Coconut Products, whose terms of reference were widened to cover oilseeds, oils and fats.

Purpose

To provide a forum for studies and consultations on the economic aspects of production, processing, consumption, trade and marketing of oilseeds, oils, fats, oilcakes and meals, with particular attention to the problems of developing countries; to identify specific problems calling for short-term action, and to consider all measures which could contribute to the solution of medium- and long-term problems and to submit practical proposals for intergovernmental arrangements.

First Session

September 1966

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, oilseeds, oils and fats or their products. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council. The Council, at its Forty-eighth Session (1967), approved the participation of the USSR in the Group.

Members having attended the Twenty-ninth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised Rules were adopted at the Sixteenth Session (March 1982).

Pattern of Sessions

Normally, one per biennium.

Achievement 2000-01

During the 2000-01 biennium, the Group conducted work in the following areas: (a) regular analysis of information on the current market situation for oilseeds, oils and fats and oilcakes and meals, (b) development of a new, integrated oil crop commodity balance sheet system, (c) monitoring of policies affecting production and trade, (d) dissemination of market information and reports through the web and other electronic means, (e) assessment of the medium-term prospects for the global oil and oilmeal market, (f) participation in the formulation and implementation of commodity development projects. In July 2001, the Group convened to exchange information and discuss economic aspects and policy issues related to the production, processing, consumption, marketing and trade of oil crop products. In particular, the Group (i) reviewed the short term market situation and outlook as well as medium-term projections for the sector; (ii) discussed policy changes in the area of production, processing, trade, concessional sales and consumption, (iii) reviewed proposals to revise the Guidelines for International Cooperation in the Oilseeds, Oils and Oilmeals Sector, (iv) discussed matters related to the Common Fund for Commodities, and (v) examined the implications of the recommendations of the CCP relative to the Group.

CCP:BA/TF (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Bananas and on Tropical Fruits (ESC-716)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at is Sixty-second Session (1999). It replaced the former Intergovernmental Group on Bananas (ESC-716).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on and studies of the economic and technical aspects of production, marketing, trade and consumption of bananas and tropical fruits. To improve statistical services and provision of information regarding the supply and demand position of bananas and tropical fruit. To study the economic aspects of consumption and the possibilities of increasing world consumption, with special reference to the relations between consumption and prices, population, income, market access, and trade barriers. To study the efficiency and social aspects of the banana and tropical fruit industries. To study the economic problems of production, processing, transportation, marketing and distribution of bananas and tropical fruits.

First Session

May 1999

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of the Organization that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of and trade in bananas and/or tropical fruits. Interested non-Member States of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted by the Council of the Organization to Membership in the Group.

Members having attended the Second Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1999).

Pattern of Sessions

1999, 2001

Achievement 2000-01

Approved the reports of its two Sub-Groups.

Sub-Group on Bananas

Welcomed the statistics provided but suggested that a working group be formed to consider the quality of statistical data and assist the Secretariat; endorsed the work on medium-term projections for supply and demand to 2010; concluded that further work on the contribution of bananas and plantains to food security should be undertaken; recommended further analysis on organic and fair trade bananas, identifying ways to assist developing countries; cautioned against excluding small farmers from the benefits accruing from the application of biotechnology to this sector; noted the value of continued monitoring of trade policy developments by the Secretariat while expressing the view that in spite of moves towards liberalization, banana exports still faced significant trade barriers in some instances with adverse effects on export revenues, food security and rural development; endorsed two projects for financing by the Common Fund for Commodities covering the Selection of Musa variants tolerant to fungal diseases and nematodes and banana and plantain improvement through modern biotechnology applications in Latin America and the Caribbean; expressed concern over the consequences of increasing market power of supermarkets on the banana value chain and on producer interests, particularly on prices received, requesting that the Secretariat undertake research into these structural changes and their applications.

Sub-Group on Tropical Fruits

Recognized the need to better monitor products and recommended that each delegation make a greater effort in responding to the Sub-Group’s annual questionnaire, in the first instance, and where possible provide disaggregated data with the assistance of their respective customs authorities; requested that the Secretariat assist Member Nations where necessary to improve data collection and to discuss with relevant institutions the provision of more detailed data, including data on organic products; recommended that the Secretariat continue its work in the analysis of markets of interest, as well as provide more detailed analyses of the processing of tropical fruits and diversification efforts, subject to available resources; agreed that the implementation of SPS measures continued to be the most significant policy issue for international trade in tropical fruits and a major potential obstacle to fresh tropical fruit trade was the lack of appropriate alternatives to methyl bromide; discussed possible alternatives and expressed concern that the implementation of phytosanitary measures was costly and problematic for many developing countries; expressed concern at the small number of ordinary members of TFNet and recommended that the Provisional Management Committee (PMC) urgently review the structure and activities of the Network with the view to improving its attractiveness and added value to participants; epressed concern at the delay in the implementation of the CFC component of the African fruitfly initiative project and requested that the CFC and IFAD resolve the current impasse; endorsed the two project proposals that were presented; expressed concern at the considerable delays in processing of project proposals by the CFC and felt that the CFC needed to be more sensitive to the needs of the industry.

CCP:HF (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibres (ESC-720)

Origin

Established by the Committee Problems (CCP) at its Fortieth Session (1966).

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultation on and studies of the economic aspects of production, local processing, marketing, trade and consumption of abaca, sisal, henequen and other hard fibres, individually, and as a group. To study marketing practices and their improvement; to consider the causes of disequilibrium between production and consumption, including competition with synthetics and the development of new uses; to consider, implement and monitor measures to deal with special difficulties which may exist or may be expected to arise. Coir has since been added to the list of hard fibres falling within these terms of reference.

First Session

September 1966.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, hard fibres. Interested non-Member Nations of FAO that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Member Nations having attended Thirty-first Session; held jointly with the Thirty-third Session of the IGG on Jute:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session. Amended at Twenty-ninth Session in 1996.

Pattern of Sessions

1966, 1967, 1972, 1973 (twice), 1974, 1975 (twice), 1976 (twice), 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000.

Subsidiary Bodies

Sub-Group of Sisal and Henequen Producing Countries (ESC-731) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

• Member Nations producing sisal and henequen.

Achievement 2000-01

Met jointly for the second time with the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres in 2000 in conjunction with a Consultation on Natural Fibres. This Consultation included a one-day seminar on alterantive applications for Sisal and Henequen, supported by the Common Fund for Commodies. Continued to be the principal intergovernmental forum assisting countries interested in the production, trade and manufacture of hard fibres in finding solutions to the problems facing this group of commodities, especially those affected by the increased threat of synthetics, including environmental implications; reviewed market prospects for hard fibres and products and established indicative prices for abaca and sisal fibres and for sisal harvest twines; sponsored an Intersessional Consultation on Fibres in 2001. As an International Commodity Body in relation to the Common Fund for Commodities, developed project proposals for sponsoring and financing by the Second Account of the Fund and supervised the execution of projects which had been approved.

CCP:TE (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Tea (ESC-722)

Origin

Established by the Committee of Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Forty-fourth Session (1969) as the Consultative Committee on tea, following a series of ad hoc intergovernmental consultations under FAO auspices beginning in 1965 and an emergency meeting of tea-exporting countries in 1969 which agreed on an informal export quota arrangement for 1970. The title of this Body was changed in 1971 to that above.

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on and studies of all problems connected with tea. In particular, to conduct a continuing review of short and long term developments in tea production, consumption, trade and prices, to study market structure and the promotion of tea consumption, and to consider international action and prepare proposals for submission to Governments.

First Session

December 1969.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of the Organization that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of and trade in tea. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted by the Council of the Organization to Membership in the Group.

Members having attended the Thirteenth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Revised and adopted at the Sixth Session of the Group (1985).

Pattern of Sessions

1969, 1970, 1974 (Special Session), 1976, 1977 (twice), 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001.

Achievement 2000-01

Continued to provide a global forum to monitor market and policy developments for tea. The Group considered that factors underlying current market developments warranted further investigation to provide a basis for the design of appropriate marketing responses and to encourage further investment in line with the capacity of the tea market. The Group recognized the importance of enhancing demand for tea, but felt that attempts to increase consumption levels by promotion needed to take account of the specific character of each market. In expressing interest in electronically sharing market information and technical data to improve transparency, the Group requested that this networking include information for smaller but faster-growing-tea- producing countries. The Group decided to establish a Working Group which will advise the full Group at its next Session on the outcome of its investigation on pesticide residues for various countries. Member Nations would then be in a position to present the evidence to the Codex Alimentarius Committee with a view to providing a more objective basis for MRL standards and for promoting their international harmonization. The Group noted that two issues needed to be resolved with respect to the Tea Mark: i) the continued administration of the Tea Mark; and ii) the implementation of generic promotion. The Group recommended a plan of action which would examine various supply management schemes, and on the demand side: i) evaluation of the impact of regional and bilateral trade agreements on consumption; ii) assessment of the effectiveness of generic promotion using the Tea Mark or other campaigns based on the health message related to tea consumption; iii) reassessment of the role of the currently non-active International Tea Promotion Agency (ITPA); iv) assessment of market potential for “fair trade” tea; and v) study price of the transmissions and the relative share of the grower in retail prices.

CCP:ME (Cat. 1)

Intergovernmental Group on Meat (ESC-727)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) at its Forty-fifth Session (1970). Originally called the Study Group on Meat.

Purpose

To provide a forum for consultations on and studies of international trade, production and consumption of meat, with emphasis on problems involved in livestock development and meat marketing. To analyse programmes related to the expansion of meat production and their influence on trade; analyse short-, medium- and long-term production, consumption and market prospects for meat and meat products; to exchange information on up-to-date techniques to improve productivity of the livestock sector in developing countries, while adhering to strict meat hygiene and veterinary and sanitary regulations; to identify problem areas in world trade and to inform the competent bodies of their scope and magnitude.

First Session

June 1971.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of FAO that are substantially interested in the production or consumption of, and trade in, meat and meat products. Interested non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted to Membership by the FAO Council.

Members having attended the Eighteenth Session:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session and revised at the Tenth Session (1983).

Pattern of Sessions

Generally, once per biennium.

Subsidiary Body

Sub-Group on Hides and Skins (ESC-706) (English, French, Spanish) (1)

• All Members of the Group.

Achievement 2000-01

Reviewed the current world meat market situation in 2000 and short-term outlook for 2001; examined national and international livestock and meat policies and progress made towards achieving the objectives of the Guidelines for International Cooperation in the Livestock and Meat Sector; reviewed the results of FAO meat projections to 2010; and reviewed developments regarding the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).

FISHERIES

COFI:FT (Cat. 1)

COFI Sub-Committee on Fish Trade (FI-709)

Origin

Established by the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) at its Sixteenth Session (1985) in accordance with Rule XXX-10 of the General Rules of the Organization and Rule VII of the COFI Rules of Procedure.

Purpose

The terms of reference of the Sub-Committee as decided by COFI are the following:

The Sub-Committee shall provide a forum for consultations on technical and economic aspects of international trade in fish and fishery products including pertinent aspects of production and consumption. In particular, the work of the Sub-Committee will include:

b)    on the basis of special studies, discussion of specific fish trade problems and possible solutions;

d)    in conjunction with the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, formulation of recommendations for the promotion of international quality standards and the harmonization of quality control and inspection procedures and regulations;

First Session

October 1986.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations of the Organization. Non-Member Nations of the Organization that are Members of the United Nations, or any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted by the Council of the Organization to Membership in the Sub-Committee.

The following Members attended the Eighth Session (February 2002):

Observers: Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Russian Federation

Working Languages

Arabic, English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Those of COFI.

Pattern of Sessions

1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002.

Achievement 2000-01

The Sub-Committee continued to monitor recent developments in world fish trade and its cooperation as an International Commodity Body for fishery products with the Common Fund for Commodities. It discussed and agreed on the proposals for a scientific review of the CITES, listing criteria related to commercially-exploited fish species. Other relevant issues dealt with were: international trade, the environment, food security, and the WTO impact on world fish trade.

APFIC (Cat. 1)

Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission (FI-704)

(formerly called Indo-Pacific Fishery Commission (IPFC)
(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

APFIC was established by an international agreement in November 1948 as recommended by the Third Session of the FAO Conference in 1947.

Purpose

To promote the full and proper utilization of living aquatic resources by the development and management of fishing and culture operations and by the development of related processing and marketing activities in conformity with the objectives of its Members.

First Session

Singapore, 24-31 March 1949.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which accept the Agreement in accordance with Article X thereof. Other Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.

The present Membership of APFIC is:

Working Languages

English and French.

Rules of Procedure

Amended by the Commission at its Twenty-fifth Session (1996) and concurred by the FAO Council and its 112^th Session.

Pattern of Sessions

Biannually.

Subsidiary Bodies

APFIC Committee on Marine Fisheries (FI-779) (English, French) (1).

All Member Nations that are Members of the Commission.

APFIC Committee on Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries (FI-710) (1).

All Member Nations that are Members of the Commission (English, French).

Achievement 2000-01

Reviewed regional fishery bodies and arrangements in Asia and the Pacific region and their implications on future activities of APFIC (RAP Publication: 2000/05); convened the Sixty-eighth Session of the APFIC Executive Committee (5-7 July 2000, Bangkok, Thailand) (RAP Publication: 2000/12); and the Twenty-seventh Session of APFIC (19-21 September 2001, Manila, Philippines) (RAP Publication: 2001/18).

GFCM (Cat. 1)

General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (FI-716)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

Established under an Agreement drafted in Rome on 24 September 1949 and approved by the FAO Conference at its Fifth Session (1949) and which came into force on 20 February 1952. The Agreement was amended by the GFCM at its First Special Session (1963), with the subsequent approval of the Conference at its Twelfth Session (1963, Resolution 39/63), and further amended at the Thirteenth GFCM Session (1976), with the subsequent approval of the Council at its Seventieth Session (1976, Resolution 3/70) and lately amended by the Twenty-second Session (Rome 1997) with the subsequent approval of the FAO Council, November 1997.

Purpose

To promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea; to keep the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry under review and recommend measures for its development; to encourage, recommend and, as appropriate, undertake training, extension, research and development activities in all aspects of fisheries, including the protection of living marine resources (Article III of the Agreement).

First Session

July 1952.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members of the Organization which accept the Agreement in accordance with Article XI thereof. Other Nations that are Members of the United Nations, any of its Specialized Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency, may be admitted as Members by a two-thirds majority of the Commission's Membership.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

Arabic, English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Special Session (1963) and amended at the Thirteenth Session (1976) and further amended at the Twenty-second Session (1997).

Pattern of Sessions

Annual as from 1997. (Sessions convened by Chairman of the Commission).

Subsidiary Bodies

Scientific Advisory Committee (FI-720) (Arabic, English, French, Spanish) (1).

(Formerly known as the Committee on Fisheries Management)

• Members of the Commission.

Committee on Aquaculture (FI-719) (English, French).

• Members of the Commission.

Achievement 2000-01

Achievement Report for GFCM

The Commission agreed upon the Scale of Contributions that would be applicable to GFCM autonomous budget once the Agreement enters into force. It updated its past Resolutions 95/1 97.3 and adopted two new Resolutions 2000/1 and 2000/2 concerning the minimum size of bluefin tuna. The Commission also updated the terms of reference of its Scientific Advisory Committee, and agreed on a temporary delimitation of the management units renaming them ‘Geographical Sub-areas”. The Commission endorsed a proposal for the setting-up of a Joint EIFAC/GFCM Working Group on Sturgeon Acipenser Sturio. In addition, the Commission took note of the achievements of the regional projects ADRIAMED and COPEMED, and welcomed the implementation of a regional project on statistics MEDIFSIS.

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee held two meetings (Madrid, Spain, 2000 and Athens, Greece, 2001). The Committee reviewed the conclusions and recommendations of its four Sub-Committees and its ad hoc Working Groups on Geographical Sub-areas. The Committee noted that some stocks were fully exploited and recommended the reduction of the fishing effort targeting these stocks. It also recommended investigating further the feasibility of an eco-system-based fisheries management approach to Mediterranean fisheries. The Committee agreed on a proposal for a regional project on statistics (MEDIFSIS), subject to its endorsement by the Commission. It recommended that the Commission endorse the establishment of the EIFAC/GFCM Joint Working Group on Sturgeon.

COPESCAL (Cat. 1)

Commission for Inland Fisheries of Latin America (FI-758)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Council at its Seventieth Session (1976, Resolution 4/70).

Purpose

To promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys, as well as to promote research and development programmes for the rational utilization of inland fishery resources; to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures; to assist in the development of aquaculture, recreational fishing, catching, marketing and utilization of fish; to encourage education and training; to assist Members in formulating national and regional programmes to help achieve the objectives referred to in the Statutes.

First Session

March 1979.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members serviced by the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1979).

Pattern of Sessions

1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1995, 1998.

Achievement 2000-01

Conducted regional studies on the development of different small-and medium-Scale aquaculture systems in Latin America and the Caribbean; promoted cooperation among Member Nations for the development of training, extension, research, marketing and credits for rural aquaculture; examined the status of national information systems for aquaculture and proposed the establishment of a regional centre for exchange of information on aquaculture; assisted Member Nations in the formulation of regional projects on fish marketing, inland fisheries management and health management in aquaculture.

EIFAC (Cat. 1)

European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (FI-727)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Council at its Twenty-sixth Session (1957, Resolution 2/26).

Purpose

To promote improvements in inland fisheries and to advise Member Governments and FAO on inland fishery matters.

First Session

April 1960.

Membership

Open to all Members in the European Region.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English and French.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1960), amended at the Twentieth Session (1998).

Pattern of Sessions

Biennial.

Subsidiary Bodies

Sub-Commission I - Biology and Management

Sub-Commission II - Aquaculture

Sub-Commission III - Protection of the Aquatic Resources

Sub-Commission IV - Social and Economic Issues

Most EIFAC Subsidiary Bodies meet on an ad hoc basis during Plenary Sessions of the Commission. Experts are nominated by Member Nations and serve in a personal capacity. The work is usually undertaken by correspondence, or ad hoc Working Parties occasionally meet informally at the convenor's request.

Achievement 2000-01

The Twenty-first Session of the Commission, as well as the Symposium on Fisheries and Society, Social, Economic and Cultural Perspectives of Inland Fisheries, was held in Budapest, Hungary, from 1 to 7 June 2000. The report of the Symposium was published as FAO Fisheries Report No 625, Supplement. Selected papers presented at the Symposium were published as a Special Issue of Fisheries Management and Ecology, Volume 8 (4-5). The following Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment - The Effects of Fisheries Management on Freshwater Eco-systems - will be held in Windermere, United Kingdom, in June 2002.

In May 2001, a meeting of the ad hoc EIFAC/EC Working Party on market perspectives for European freshwater aquaculture was held in Brussels, and its report published as EIFAC Occasional Paper No. 35. The ad hoc EIFAC/ICES Working Party on Eels met in Copenhagen in August 2001 (EIFAC Occasional Paper No. 36). An Executive Committee meeting was held in Rome, 23-25 May 2001.

RECOFI (Cat. 1)

Regional Commission for Fisheries (RNE-739)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General on the basis of Resolution 1/117 adopted by the Council at its Hundred and Seventeenth Session (1999).

RECOFI in effect replaces in terms of geographical area the former Committee for the Development & Management of the Fisheries Resources of the Gulfs, a subsidiary body of the Indian Ocean Fishery Commission (IOFC), which was abolished by IOFC at its Eleventh Session in February 1999.

Purpose

To promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the area covered by the Commission. To this end, the Commission will keep under review the state of these resources including the abundance and the level of their exploitation, as well as the state of the fisheries based there, formulate and recommend appropriate measures for the conservation and rational management of living marine resources, and ensure the implementation of these recommendations; keep under review the economic and social aspects of the fishing industry and recommend any measures aimed at its development; encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake training and extension activities in all aspects of fisheries; encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake research and development activities including cooperative projects in the areas of fisheries and in the protection of living marine resources; assemble, publish and disseminate information regarding exploitable living marine resources and fisheries based on these resources; promote programmes on aquaculture and fish enhancement, and carry out such other activities as may be necessary to achieve these purposes.

First Session

6-8 October 2001, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Membership

Open to all Members and Associate Members of FAO that are coastal Members or Associate Members situated mainly or partly within the area; Member Nations or Associate Members whose vessels are engaged in fishing in the area and regional economic integration organization of which any Member Nation referred to above is a Member and to which that Member Nation has transferred competence over matters within the purview of the Agreement establishing this Commission.

The present Membership is:

Observers: GCC Secretaries, ROPME, ICLARM, AOAD, AFFP, KISR, BCSR,

King Abdel Aziz University

Working Languages

Arabic, English.

Rules of Procedure

To be adopted at the First Session of the Commission.

Subsidiary Bodies

The Commission establish two ad hoc Working Groups, one on Fisheries Statistics and one on Aquaculture. A technical meeting of the Working Group will take place during 2002.

Achievements 2000-01

The First Session of the Commission discussed: the rules of procedures of RECOFI, working methods of the Commission, the status of fisheries in Member Nations, financial Arrangements and future activities of RECOFI.

IOTC (Cat. 1)

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (FI-733)

(Article XIV of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Conference at its Twenty-seventh Session (1993).

Purpose

To promote cooperation with a view to ensuring, through appropriate management, the conservation of optimum utilization of tuna and tuna-like species, to keep under review the conditions and trends of the stocks and to gather, analyse and disseminate scientific information, catch and effort statistics and other data relevant to the conservation and managagement of the stocks and to fisheries based on the stocks; to encourage, recommend and coordinate research and development activities in respect of the stock and fisheries, including activities connected with transfer of technology, training and enhacement; to adopt conservation measures to ensure the conservation of stocks and to promote the objective of their optimum utilization; to keep under review the economic and social aspects of the fisheries based on the stocks, bearing in mind, in particular, the interests of developing coastal states.

First Session

December 1996.

Membership

Open to Members and Associate Members of FAO, or by a two-thirds majority of its Members, any other States that are not Members of FAO, but are Members of the United Nations, or of any of its Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, that are coastal Members or Associate Members situated wholly or partly within the Area; Members or Associate Members whose vessels engage in fishing in the Area for stocks covered by this Agreement; or regional economic integration organizations of which any State referred to in subparagraphs (i), or (ii) above is a member and to which that Member has transferred competence over matters within the purview of this Agreement.

The present Membership is:

In addition, the Philippines and Indonesia have acceded to the status of Cooperating

Non-contracting Party.

Working Languages

English, French.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the Second Session of the Commission (1997).

Pattern of Sessions

Annual.

Subsidiary Bodies

Permanent Scientific Committee. (FI-734 a) (English, French)

• Each Member of the Commission nominates a representative, and an alternate if needed. The representative may be accompanied by experts and advisers. The Commission may also invite experts in their individual capacity.
• The Commission may also establish Sub-Commissions to deal with one or more of the stocks covered by the Agreement establishing the Commission.
• Working Parties for Tagging, Data and Statistics, Tropical Tunas, Temperate Tunas, Neritic Tunas and Billfish.

Achievement 2000-01

Two Commission and two Scientific Committee Sessions were held in the biennium, as well as an intersessional meeting of the Commission and nine Working Party meetings. The Commission adopted its Budget and Scale of Contributions as scheduled at each Session, and resolutions were taken regarding a survey of predation of longline caught fish, national observer programmes for tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean, control of fishing activities, a scheme to promote compliance by non-contracting Party vessels with resolutions established by IOTC, limitation of fishing efforts of non-Members of IOTC whose vessels fish bigeye tuna, mandatory statistical reporting standards, a recommendation concerning the IOTC bigeye tuna statistical document programme and support of the FAO IPOA on IUU fishing. Field sampling activities were initiated in three Indian Ocean coastal states, and the Commission approved cooperative activities with bilateral and multilateral funding for strengthening statistical reporting in Indian Ocean developing coastal countries and for tagging of tropical tunas. The increased workload led to a rise in the staffing level of the Secretariat.

WECAFC (Cat. 1)

Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (FI-739)

(Article VI-1 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Council at its Sixty-first Session (1973, Resolution 4/61).

Purpose

To assist in international cooperation efforts for the conservation, development and utilization of living resources, especially shrimp, of the Western Central Atlantic.

First Session

October 1975.

Membership

Open to all Member Nations and Associate Members, which notify the Director-General of their desire to be considered as Members.

The present Membership is:

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1975). Amended at the Second Session (1978).

Pattern of Sessions

1975, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001.

Subsidiary Bodies

Committee for the Development and Management of Fisheries in the Lesser Antilles (FI-766) (English, French) (1)

• Open to coastal states, Members of the Commission in the area.

Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) (SLAC-749)

• The SAG acts as an advisory body to the Commission and its ad hoc Working Groups. Members are experts (individuals serving in their personal capaciy) selected by the
  Director-General.

Achievement 2000-01

The Tenth Session of the Commission was held in October 2001. It approved the report of the Scientific Advisory Group.

With the focus on responsible fisheries the following meetings were held:

• Fourth Workshop on Assessment and Management of Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries in Brazil-Guianas Shelf (Venezuela, 2-13 October 2000).
• Meeting of Fisheries Managers and Ministers of the WECAFC Ad Hoc Working Group (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 26-29 March 2001). The main objectives were to review the results of the stock assessment and bio-economic analyses obtained by the Ad Hoc Working Group and to consider management measures to address the sustainable utilisation of the fishery resources in the Brazil-Guianas shelf.
• National Workshops on Fisheries Management in Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, June-July 2000. The main objectives were to disseminate the results of the scientific analyses of the Ad Hoc Working Group to stakeholders and to stimulate and encourage the participation
• Workshop on Management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Fisheries in the Area of the Western Central Atlantic (Mexico, 4-8 September 2000).
• The second meeting of the Flying Fish Working Group of the Eastern Caribbean (Barbados, 8-12 January 2001) performed further analyses, including attempts to standardise catch rates and to examine spatial and temporal trends in reported catches and efforts.
• The Lesser Antilles Working Group on Sustainable Development of Moored FAD Fishing met for the first time (Martinique, 8-11 October 2001). The Tenth Session of the Commission approved the Terms of Reference of this Working Group.

CECAF (Cat. 1)

Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (FI-740)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Council at its Forty-eighth Session (1967, Resolution 1/48), to replace the Regional Fisheries Commission for Western Africa (RFC WA) which had been abolished by the Conference at its Fourteenth Session (1967).

Purpose

The purpose of the Committee shall be to promote the optimum utilization of the living aquatic resources of the area defined under paragraph 1 above, by the proper management and development of the fisheries and fishing operations, the development of marine brackish water aquaculture and the improvement of related processing and marketing activities in conformity with the objectives of its Members :

1. keep under review the state of these resources and of the industries based on them;
2. promote the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis or study of statistical socio-economic, biological and environmental data and other marine fishery information;
3. establish the scientific basis for regulatory measures leading to the conservation and management of marine fishery resources, to formulate such measures through Subsidiary Bodies, as required, and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
4. encourage, recommend and coordinate training and extension activities in all aspects of marine fisheries;
5. assist Member Governments in formulating programmes to be implemented through international aid sources to achieve the objectives described in (a), (b), (c), (d), above;
6. keep under review the economic and social aspects of the marine fishing industry and of marine and brackish water aquaculture operations, and recommend any measures aimed at the development of that industry and those operations in order to ensure the contribution of the fishery to national, social and economic goals;
7. promote and encourage the utilization of the most appropriate fishing craft, gear and techniques;
8. promote and encourage in cooperation with other regional bodies, as appropriate, activities concerned with the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
9. collaborate with Member Governments in formulating programmes to be implemented through local and/or external sources to help achieve objectives described in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) above;
10. promote liaison and cooperation among and with competent institutions within the sea served by the Committee, insofar as the Purpose Constitution, the General Rules, regulations and facilities of the Organization permit, and
11. carry out such other activities as may be necessary for the Committee to achieve its purpose, as defined above.

New terms of reference were approved by the Hundred and Second Session of the Council (Rome, 9-20 November 1992).

First Session

March 1969.

Membership

Member Nations and Associate Members selected by the Director-General from among Member Nations and Associate Members in Africa whose territories border the Atlantic Ocean from Cape Spartel to the mouth of the Congo River, and those Member Nations and Associate Members fishing or conducting research in the sea area concerned or having some other interest in the fisheries thereof whose contribution to the work of the Committee the Director-General deems to be essential or desirable.

The present Membership is:

Angola, Namibia, Canada, Portugal, Russia, South Africa and United Kingdom attend as observers.

Working Languages

English, French, Spanish.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1969) and amended at the Fifth Session (1977).

Pattern of Sessions

1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2000.

Subsidiary Bodies

Scientific Sub-Committee - RAFR-710 (English, French, Spanish)

Open to all Members of CECAF whose territories border the Eastern Central Atlantic.

Achievement 2000-01

At its Fourteenth Session held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, from 6 to 9 September 1998, CECAF abolished all its four Subsidiary Bodies as per Conference Resolution 13/97, and agreed to have a simpler structure consisting of the Committee and a Scientific Sub-Committee (SSC) whose terms of reference and work programme for the intersessional period were elaborated. The Committee also agreed to progressively work towards the upgrading of the body to a Commission level under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The First Session of the SSC and the Fifteenth Session of CECAF were held in Abuja, Nigeria in October and November 2000, respectively. The Committee recommended a Technical Consultation on its future.

The Technical Consultation on the future of CECAF was held in Lagos, Nigeria from the 27 to 30 November 2001 and discussed the status of fisheries resources and regional cooperation in conserving and managing resources and options for the future of CECAF. It was agreed to progressively engage in the process for the establishment of a Commission to replace the present committee. Meanwhile, it unanimously agreed to continue and strengthen the present arrangements of CECAF, giving it a wider scientific and technical imprint. The Consultation identified key elements that needed to be included in the Terms of Reference of the Statutes of the Committee to enable it fulfil its new role.

Despite the abolition of its Subsidiary Bodies, CECAF continued to monitor the state of marine fisheries resources in the Region through the SSC, and established small pelagics and demersal resources Working Groups. The artisanal fisheries sector is also monitored through the artisanal fisheries working group, for which a consultative meeting was organized in Cotonou, Benin in September 2001.

CIFA (Cat. 1)

Committee for Inland Fisheries of Africa (FI-745)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Council at its Fifty-sixth Session (1971, Resolution 1/56).

Purpose

To promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery surveys and research and development programmes designed to rationally utilize inland fishery resources; to assist Members in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures; to assist in the development of fish culture and stock improvement; to promote the use of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques; to encourage education and training; to assist Members in formulating programmes to help achieve the objectives referred to in the statutes.

First Session

November/December 1972.

Membership

Membership consists of African Members and Associate Members selected by the Director-General on the basis of their active interest in inland fishery development in Africa and of their potential contribution to the effective discharge of the functions of the Committee.

The present Membership is:

United Kingdom attends as an observer.

Working Languages

English, French.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1972) and amended at its Third (1977) and Fifth (1983) Sessions.

Pattern of Sessions

1972, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994, 1997 and 2000.

Subsidiary Bodies

In line with FAO Conference Resolution 13/97, at its Tenth Session in 1997, CIFA abolished five of its seven Subsidiary Bodies, leaving the two below:

• Sub-Committee for the Protection and Development of the Fisheries in the Sahelian Zone (FI-787) (English, French) (1).

Sahelian Nations who are Members of CIFA (Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal) and other Nations whose territories are situated wholly or in part in the Sahelian Zone.

The Committee (CIFA) abolished this Sub-Committee at its 11^th Session in Abuja, Nigeria. It recommended replacing the Sub-Committee with ad hoc working groups on co-management and community management, management of fisheries in shared waters and promotion of the integration of irrigation and aquaculture.

• Sub-Committee for Lake Tanganyika (FI-712) (English, French) (1)

Member Nations of CIFA surrounding Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, United Republic of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia).

Achievement 2000-01

Provided the major forum for consultations and exchange of experiences on inland fisheries in the Sub-Saharan Africa; promoted development of aquaculture and continued to encourage the creation of an autonomous body to manage the fisheries resources of Lake Tanganyika (similar to the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization). The 11^th Session of CIFA was held in Abuja, Nigeria from 24^th to 27^th October 2000.

ACFR (Cat. 3)

Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (FI-713)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Director-General following the decision of the Conference at its Eleventh

Session (1961) as the Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research (ACMRR). Statutes revised by the Council in 1993 to change name to ACFR and amend the scope and terms of reference.

Purpose

To study and advise the Director-General on the formulation and execution of the Organization's work in respect of all aspects of fisheries research, including conservation and management of marine and inland fishery resources, increasing fish productivity through enhancement of wild resources and through aquaculture, improving the means of converting fishery resources into human food and study the dynamics of fishing communities and the socio-economic consequences of Government fishery policies. Special attention is provided to the fisheries aspects of oceanographic research and to the impacts of environmental change on the sustainability of fisheries. By agreement with the Director-General and in accordance with Resolution 15, adopted at the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco, the Committee also acts as the Advisory Body to that Commission on the fisheries aspects of oceanography.

First Session

1997.

Membership

Composed of not more than thirteen fisheries experts appointed in their personal capacity by the Director-General of FAO. When acting as Advisory Body to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, following consultations between FAO and IOC, the Director-General may, on the basis of the recommendations by the Bureau of IOC, appoint one or two additional Members in accordance with Resolution 15.

Working Language

English.

Rules of Procedure

Adopted at the First Session (1963), revised at the Eleventh Session (1985). Revised by the Council in 1993 to make them more comprehensive, extended to cover inland fisheries as well as marine resources.

Pattern of Sessions

1997, 1999, 2000.

Subsidiary Bodies

To be established as and when required, subject to the availability of funds.

Achievement 2000-01

At its Third Session (Rome, 5-8 December 2000), the Committee examined its work since the Second Session, undertook an appraisal of FAO’s fisheries research-related programmes in small-scale fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture, reviewed some emerging issues in capture fisheries and aquaculture and elaborated the Committee’s work for the intersessional period (2000-2001). The Committee strongly endorsed the proposal and draft International Plan of Action on Status and Trends Reporting, on Fisheries and suggested that it be submitted to the next session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) for its consideration. The Committee recommended that its Working Group on the Impacts of Trade and Benefit Distribution should continue its work. It is also recommended that an ACFR Working Party on Ecosystem Approaches for Small-scale Coastal and Inland Fisheries should be organized during the intersessional period.

CWP (Cat. 1)

Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (FI-751)

(Article VI-2 of the Constitution)

Origin

Established by the Conference at its Tenth Session (1959, Resolution 23/59) as a "Continuing Working Party on Fishery Statistics in the North Atlantic Area". The Council, at its Fifty-first Session (1968, Resolution 1/51) altered the title to Coordinating Working Party on Atlantic Fishery Statistics. The Council, at its Hundred and Eighth Session (1995), amended the title to that above and revised the statutes.

Purpose

The Coordinating Working Party on Fisheries Statistics (CWP) has as its purpose to (i) keep under continuous review the requirements for fishery statistics for research, policy-making and management, (ii) agree standard concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies for the collection and collation of fishery statistics, and (iii) make proposals for the coordination and streamlining of statistical activities amongst relevant intergovernmental organizations.

First Session

May 1960.

Membership

Composed of experts nominated by intergovernmental organizations whihch have a competence in fishery statistics. The following are the current organizations :

Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

Commission for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)

Inter-America Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

Intemational Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

International Whaling Commission (IWC)

North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Statistical Office of the European Communities (EU/Eurostat)

Participating organizations may admit other intergovernmental organizations having competence in fishery statistics. Participating organizations may withdraw from the Working Party.

Each of the participating organizations may nominate up to five experts in accordance with their respective internal procedures.

Working Language

English.

Rules of Procedure

The Working Party adopted new Rules of Procedure at its Sixteenth Session in 1995.

Pattern of Sessions

1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001.

Achievement 2000-01

During the period under review, the CWP continued its work in coordinating fishery statistical programmes among the participating organizations and developing norms and standards for international fishery statistics, both at the Nineteenth Session (Nouméa, New Caledonia,

10-13 July 2001) and through intersessional activities. The CWP at its Nineteenth Session reviewed intersessional developments in Agency programmes in fishery statistics, considered the data implications of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and Agency catch certification schemes, further developed arrangements for integration of regional fishery statistics and their joint dissemination, agreed plans for the record of vessels fishing on the high seas (Compliance Agreement), adopted revisions to statistical classifications, and planned preparation of a new CWP Handbook of Statistical Standards for Fisheries. A notable new initiative at the Nineteenth Session was consideration of the role of CWP in relation to statistical development, and its advocacy role in particular which could help motivate donor funding for statistical development. Another notable new development was the recognition by the CWP that the fishery resources module of the Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS) offers a good opportunity to facilitate improved reporting on fishery status and trends through cooperation among CWP agencies, and that this should be brought into the mainstream of CWP work. The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) joined the CWP in 2000 bringing the number of participating organizations to 13, representing an increase of five organizations since the CWP was reconstituted in 1995.