The 15th annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna is taking place from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 October in the Heritage Hotel in Auckland.
This annual meeting brings together international delegates from states including Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, the European Community, the Philippines and Indonesia.
“New Zealand is very pleased to host this year’s annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna”, said Wayne McNee Chief Executive of the Ministry of Fisheries. “It is an honour to be again hosting this gathering of distinguished international delegates committed to the conservation and optimum utilisation of Southern Bluefin Tuna fisheries. I would also like to wish Ministry of Fisheries Deputy Chief Executive Stan Crothers all the best in chairing the meeting” he said.
The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) was formally created in 1994 from an existing voluntary management agreement arrangement between New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
The commission’s main objective is to ensure best practice in the management and conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT). Its aims include: responsibility for setting each member states total allowable catch; to conduct and coordinate scientific research; to make decisions to support and implement tuna fishery management; to provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to the conservation of SBT; to coordinate of mechanism for each member’s SBT fishery; to foster conservation of ecologically related species and bycatch species; to encourage non members engaged in the fishery to apply for cooperating non-membership; and to cooperate and liaise with other regional tuna fishery management organisations.
“Since we last hosted a meeting of the commission in Christchurch in 2003, the commission has faced some challenges in achieving its aims and objectives; I commend the ongoing commitment the member’s states have shown in achieving these aims” said Wayne McNee “I wish all delegates the very best in their endeavours over the coming 3 days”.
