The prohibition on fishing around FADs in Atlantic waters has been cut from 72 days to 45 at ICCAT’s 24th special meeting, held in Limassol earlier this month.
ICCAT’s Standing Committee for Research and Statistic (SCRS) was not able to demonstrate the moratorium’s effectiveness in protecting the bigeye tuna stock and concluded that no moratorium is necessary to maintain the species’ stock health, as the TAC and its distribution have proven sufficient.
Although a recent yellowfin stock assessment indicates that the species is not overfished nor subject to overfishing, in the absence of an allocation for yellowfin tuna, the SCRS recommended maintaining a minimum 30-day closure.
The five-year FAD moratorium has had serious socio-economic consequences, particularly for African canneries, with many, especially in Ivory Coast and Cabo Verde, forced to shut down – resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs. The moratorium also led to the disappearance of half of the European purse seine fleet operating in ICCAT’s regulated waters. Two of which, operating solely in the Atlantic with no alternatives, were unable to continue.
‘It is unfortunate that it took such severe socio-economic impact to prompt a reduction in a moratorium whose effectiveness remains unproven,’ said Anne-France Mattlet, director of the Europêche Tuna Group.
‘While this decision comes too late for two European shipowners, who have already been forced to cease operations, we hope it will provide some relief to the remaining European tropical tuna purse seine fleet. We also see the European Union’s stand for science-based but also socio-economically proportionate measures as a good sign for the upcoming mandate of Commissioner Costas Kadis.’
After long discussions until the last minute, bigeye tuna catch limits were also agreed among all CPCs.
The Commission has continued its commitment to establishing management objectives and strategies for the three main tropical tuna species, as well as implementing management measures and procedures for North Atlantic swordfish which will ensure the continued sustainable exploitation of the stocks. Additionally, initial operational management goals were set for southern Atlantic albacore
. Europêche has welcomed the entry into force of ICCAT’s recommendations on whale sharks and mobulid rays, marking an important step forward in shark conservation. But the European operators have registered their deep disappointment opposition from China and Japan to recommendations aimed at ensuring the implementation of fins naturally attached policy.
‘To ensure EU fleets are not subject to unfair competition and sustainable fishing practices, it is essential that third countries operating in ICCAT’s waters implement basic control, monitoring, and compliance measures. This includes a comprehensive list of operational vessels, increased observer coverage, and the establishment of a high sea’s inspection and boarding scheme,’ said Europêche Tuna Group president Xavier Leduc.
‘While we understand that the opposition from some Asian countries prevents from adopting such ICCAT measures, it may be time for the European Union to take stronger action by refusing access to its market to products from fleets that do not adhere to these fundamental measures to combat IUU fishing.’
