Established in 1971 by the FAO Council under Article VI-2 of the FAO Constitution. Its first session was held in November/December 1972.
Area of Competence
Inland waters of member countries.
Species Covered
All species in inland waters of member countries.
Membership
Membership consists of African Member Nations 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: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gagon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Main Objectives and Activities
The terms of reference of the Committee are:
to promote, coordinate and assist national and regional fishery and limnological surveys and programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilization of inland fishery resources;
to assist Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources, to formulate such measures through subsidiary bodies as required, and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
to promote and coordinate efforts on a national and regional basis to prevent damage to the aquatic environment, including the prevention and control of water pollution;
to assist in the development of fish culture and stock improvement, including the control of fish diseases and the importation of exotic species;
to promote and assist in the utilization of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques;
to promote and assist activities concerned with the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
to encourage education and training through the establishment or improvement of national and regional institutions and by the promotion and the organization of symposia, seminars, study tours and training centers;
to assist in the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis of statistical, biological and environmental data and other inland fishery information; and
to assist Member Governments in formulating national and regional programmes to be implemented through sources of international aid to help achieve the objectives referred to in the preceding paragraphs.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Members encouraged to incorporate relevant parts of the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct in their legislation and policies. The Secretariat is encouraging national authorities to set up consultations with non-fisheries ministries, agencies and the fishers to address Code issues.
Even though the IPOA on the Management of Fishing Capacity addresses marine fisheries, CIFA members are reminded of the dangers of over-capacity in inland fisheries. CIFA is also sensitising members on the dangers of IUU fishing and countries encouraged to consolidate and strengthen the community-based management systems set up to limit IUU fishing.
The other post-UNCED fishery instruments are not applicable.
Addressing Specific Issues
CIFA has recommended the implementation of precautionary approach for the management of inland fisheries to members that lack adequate knowledge on the state of the stocks, which prevails in most cases.
To strengthen the organization’s capacity to deal more effectively with important conservation and management issues, CIFA has abolished its Sub-Committee for the protection and development of fisheries in the Sahelian zone and set up ad hoc working groups, including one on management of fisheries in shared waters.
Issues relating to capacity have been introduced in discussions of the Committee, and in the accommodation of new entrants, Eritrea was recently admitted as a member.
Another issue considered to be a priority is involvement of the community in the management of inland fisheries
Established in 1976 under Article V.1 of the FAO Constitution.
Area of Competence
Inland waters of member countries
Species Covered
All species in inland waters of member countries.
Membership
Members are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Objectives and Activities
COPESCAL is an advisory body and its objectives and activities are:
promotion, coordination and assistance to national and regional fishery and limnological surveys and programmes of research and development leading to the rational utilisation of inland fishery resources;
assistance to Member Governments in establishing the scientific basis for regulatory and other measures for the conservation and improvement of inland fishery resources; and to make appropriate recommendations for the adoption and implementation of these measures;
encouragement of efforts on a national basis and, when appropriate, to coordinate such efforts on a regional basis with a view to preserve the quality of the water;
assistance in the development of aquaculture and stock improvement, including the control of fish diseases, the importation and introduction of exotic species;
assistance in appraising the economic and recreational values of inland fisheries and their development;
promotion and assistance in the utilisation of the most effective fishing craft, gear and techniques;
promotion and assistance with the activities for the processing, preservation and marketing of fish and fish products;
encouragement of education and training through theestablishment or improvement of national and regional institutions and by the promotion and the organization of symposia, seminars, study tours and training centres;
assistance in the collection, interchange, dissemination and analysis of data related to innland fisheries;
assistance to Member Governments in formulating national and regional programmes to be implemented through sources of international aid to help achieve the objectives referred to in the preceding paragraphs; and
performance of other functions as are related to the rational management and development of inland fisheries in the region.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Regarding the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, COPESCAL has undertaken the following:
elements for a management plan for fisheries in the Putumayo River (Peruvian-Colombian Border) will be an output of TCP/RLA/2802, beginning implementation in 2002;
a video addressed to small scale fishers for awareness building regarding prescriptions in the Code;
a workshop on management and allocation of fishery resources to small scale fishers (Valparaiso, Chile, April 2000); and
continuing advice to member countries regarding implementation of the Code.
The Commission noted that it has not met since adoption of the IPOA on the Management of Fishing Capacity IPOA on the Prevention, Deterrence and Elimination of IUU Fishing, and the other post-UNCED fishery instruments are not applicable to inland fisheries.
Addressing Specific Issues
It is noted that strengthened awareness is needed in the region for fisheries (both inland and marine) to be considered as a priority, so that implementation of precautionary approach and ecosystem-based fisheries management can move forward. This also applies to assessment of IUU fishing. In most cases, there are no proper regulations regarding inland fisheries, and, where regulations do exist, there are considerable difficulties in implementing MCS.
Strengthening the organization’s capacity to deal more effectively with important conservation and management issues is an issue to be addressed in the next session of COPESCAL. Last session was held in 1998. However, the Commission is a mere advisory body with no direct competence regarding resources management.
Most of the inland fisheries stocks appear to be over-exploited. However, there is not enough information enough to address issues relating to capacity. Attention from countries to this issue is to be addressed during the next session of COPESCAL in 2003.
Information is also lacking in relation to accommodating new entrants; a first step would be addressing the issue of registering inland fishers/craft/gears. In addition more control is needed in inland fisheries to address catch certification and documentation.
Regarding other issues considered to be a priority, it is noted that COPESCAL is an advisory body, and needs to be strengthened itself. At the time of writing, the last meeting was held in 1998 and the next is to be held in January 2003. COPESCAL advises the following priorities for the most important rivers (Amazon, Orinoco, del Plata basins) and lakes in the region, and will hopefully extend to all inland waters:
compilation of existing data and determination of additional data needs (state of fish resources, quantity of fishers and gear/craft, socioeconomic data);
promotion of awareness regarding the need of resource conservation towards its sustainable utilisation (Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries);
adoption and implementation of management measures and arrangements, agreed with stakeholders (participatory way), at national and regional level;
establishment of monitoring, surveillance and control schemes;
enabling fisher’s access to market through capacity building (organisation, business, quality, processes, marketing); and
promotion of aquaculture (small scale included where interested people is identified) and fish processing (artisanal conservation and value added products).
Established in 1957 by the FAO Council under Article VI-1 of the FAO Constitution, EIFAC held its first Session in 1960 in Dublin, Ireland. Its Secretariat is provided by FAO and is located in Rome, Italy.
Area of Competence
The Commission covers all inland waters, lakes and rivers, in Europe. It is the only international forum for collaboration and information exchange among all European countries. The area of competence is shown in Map 13.
Species Covered
All species commercially fished and raised in aquaculture
Membership
Membership is open to all European member countries of FAO. To join, eligible countries simply need to notify the Director-General of FAO of their desire for membership. Current EIFAC member countries are: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom. The European Community is also a member. The Russian Federation has observer status at the Commission.
Objectives and Activities
EIFAC serves as the centre of a network, linking policy makers, managers, scientists and others working on inland fisheries and aquaculture issues, providing a forum for collaboration and information exchange, and providing advice to member Governments on the management of inland fisheries and aquaculture. The Commission is supported by four Sub-Commissions: Biology and Management; Aquaculture; Protection of the Aquatic Resource; and Social and Economic Issues. EIFAC meets every two years in Session. Each Session is accompanied by a Symposium addressing a topic of international significance, open to all interested parties. EIFAC Working Parties, operating between Sessions, concentrate on tasks that cannot be resolved in one session. They address well defined issues that require international cooperation and are not dealt with comprehensively by any other fisheries organization.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Most of the post-UNCED fishery instruments are not applicable to the work of EIFAC, but in furtherance of the 1995 Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing, a Symposium on Aquaculture Development - Partnership between Science and Producer Associations is planned to be held in Wierzba, Poland, 26-29 May 2004.
Addressing Specific Issues
Regarding ecosystem management, a Symposium on Inland Fisheries Management and the Aquatic Environment - The Effects of Fisheries Mangement on Freshwater Ecosystems, was convened in Windermere, United Kingdom, 12-15 June 2002.
To strengthen the organization’s capacity, EIAFC EIFAC created a Liaison Group for the EU Water Framework Directive in 2002, and an EIFAC/GFCM Woking Party on Mangement of Sturgeon has also been created.
Map 13 - EIFAC Area of Competence
In 2002 Bosnia and Herzegovina joined as Member and the Russian Federation as Observer. Other specific issues are not applicable to the mandate of the EIFAC.
Established by Convention signed by the Contracting Parties 30 June 1994 in Kisumu, Kenya.
Area of Competence
Lake Victoria.
Species Covered
The Organization covers all fish species in Lake Victoria and the basin. Currently these are Nile perch, Nile tilapia and Rastrineobola argentea.
Membership
The present members are Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
Main Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the LVFO are to foster cooperation among the Contracting Parties, harmonize national measures for the sustainable utilisation of the living resources of the Lake and to develop and adopt conservation and management measures.
To achieve its objectives, the Organization has the functions and responsibilities under the Convention to:
(a) promote the proper management and optimum utilisation of the fisheries and other resources of the Lake;
(b) enhance capacity building of existing institutions and develop additional institutions dedicated to, or likely to contribute to, the purposes of the Convention in cooperation with existing institutions established in or by the Contracting Parties and with such international, regional or non-governmental organizations as may be appropriate;
(c) provide a forum for discussion of the impacts of initiatives dealing with the environment and water quality in the Lake basin and maintain a strong liaison with the existing bodies and programs;
(d) provide for the conduct of research concerning the waters of Lake Victoria, including without limitation the quality of such waters, in particular with respect to supporting the living resources of the Lake and the nature, extent and pathways of its pollution and other forms of environmental degradation;
(e) encourage, recommend, co-ordinate and, as appropriate, undertake training and extension activities in all aspects of fisheries;
(f) consider and advise on the effects of the direct or indirect introduction of any non-indigenous aquatic animals or plants into the waters of Lake Victoria or its tributaries and to adopt measures regarding the introduction, monitoring, control or elimination of any such animals or plants;
(g) serve as a clearing-house and data bank for information on Lake Victoria fisheries and promote the dissemination of information, without prejudice to industrial property rights, by any appropriate form of publication;
(h) in respect of any or all of the foregoing, adopt budgets, seek funding, formulate plans for financial management and allocate funds to activities of the Organization, or to such activities of the Contracting Parties as it may determine to be in furtherance of the purposes of the Convention; and
(i) undertake such other functions as it may determine to be necessary or desirable in order to achieve the purposes of the Convention.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Member countries are harmonizing their legislation, and the new legislation will adhere to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
Other instruments are generally not relevant in Lake Victoria, except for the IPOA on the reduction of fleet capacity. LVFO is looking into ways of reducing capacity by reviewing alternative income generating enterprises. A credit line has been proposed to assist fishers to leave the fishery for other income generating activities.
Addressing Specific Issues
Regarding implementation of a precautionary approach to fisheries management, LFVO has introduced a slot size of 50-85 cm for Nile Perch. A mesh size 5” is in force for Nile Perch in Lake Victoria.
Addressing ecosystem-based fisheries management, the catchment area is being conserved under a Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project.
Regular extension and surveys are conducted to further the assessment of the extent, impact and effects of IUU fishing. All illegal gears are being removed from the fishery.
There are no current plans to strengthen the organization’s capacity, due to the mandate and budgetary constraints.
Regarding capacity issues, there is a halt on the establishment of new fish processing factories as a way of reducing capacity.
New entrants in the fishery are not encouraged, and catch certification and documentation is implemented mainly in fish factories and exported fish.
A priority issue is cross border fishing, and guidelines have been issued in connection with this.
The MRC was established on 5 April 1995 by the Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin.
Area of Competence
The area of competence is the Mekong River Basin in member countries.
Species Covered
All inland species in the area of competence.
Membership
The MRC member countries are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. MRC maintains regular dialogue with the two upper states of the Mekong River Basin, China and Myanmar.
The MRC consists of three permanent bodies: The Council, the Joint Committee and the Secretariat. The National Mekong Committees act as focal points for the Commission in each of the member countries and are served by the respective National Mekong Committee (NMC) Secretariats. The Fisheries Programme works through NMC’s with the line agencies.
Main Objectives and Activities
The MRC member countries agree to co-operate in all fields of sustainable development, utilisation, management and conservation of the water and related resources of the Mekong River Basin. The MRC Mission is to promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water related resources for the member countries’ mutual benefit and the people’s well being by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice.
In order to work towards the goal of sustainable development of water related resources the MRC is organised around three core programmes plus a number of sector programmes, one of which is the Fisheries Programme. The sectoral programmes address important issues of regional relevance and provide sectoral information as inputs to the core programmes, namely the Water Utilisation Programme, the Basin Development Plan (BDP) and the Environment Programme. The BDP is the key focus point for information analysis and development planning. The Fisheries Programme interacts with the core programmes in the areas of socio-economic information on the role of fisheries in maintaining livelihoods, and technical information, such as environmental flow requirements for aquatic ecosystems, related to the impacts of developments on the fisheries resources. This information will be integrated into Basin development planning.
The Fisheries Programme identifies four Thematic Areas in which to concentrate activities. These are: Fisheries Ecology and Impact Assessment; Enhancing Livelihoods; Fisheries Management; and Communication. These areas will be addressed through implementation of specific components (projects) of the programme. The components will be identified through an on-going dialogue with member countries, and will respond to the changing needs for fisheries development in the Mekong Basin.
The Development Objective of the Fisheries Programme derived from the MRC Mission, noted above, is coordinated and sustainable development, utilisation, management and conservation of the fisheries of the Mekong Basin. The Fisheries Programme will contribute to the achievement of the four Strategic Goals contained in the MRC Strategic Plan as follows:
provide fisheries related data for the establishment and implementation of rules for water utilisation;
assist in developing a dynamic basin planning process through provision of technical and socio-economic data generated by the implementation of the Fisheries Programme;
provide data on fisheries related impacts and dependencies for the development of environmental management systems; and
contribute to capacity building within MRC in the area of fisheries planning and management.
Implementation of Post-UNCED Fishery Instruments
Most of these instruments are not applicable to the work of the MRC.
Addressing Specific Issues
In furtherance of its Fisheries Programme, the MRC supports the precautionary approach to fisheries management, addresses ecosystem-based fisheries management, and is undergoing capacity strengthening. Communication is identified as a priority issue.
