Report of the Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries, Rome, 25-28 March 2002

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ISBN 92-5-004799-1

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© FAO 2002

Preparation of this Document

This is the final report of the Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries, held in Rome, Italy, from 25 to 28 March 2002.

Distribution

Participants at the meeting
All FAO Members
Other interested nations and national and international organizations
FAO Fisheries Department
FAO Regional Fisheries Officers

Abstract

Opening of the Consultation, Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Rapporteur, Adoption of Agenda and Arrangements for the Consultation

1. The Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries was held in Rome, Italy, from 25 to 28 March 2002. It was attended by 60 Members of FAO and by observers from one non-Member Nation of FAO. Observers from eight intergovernmental organizations and five international non-governmental organizations also attended the Consultation.

2. The list of delegates and observers is given in Appendix B. The documents that were placed before the Consultation are listed in Appendix C.

3. The meeting was called to order by the Secretary of the Consultation, Mr Richard Grainger, who welcomed delegates and observers to the Consultation.

4. Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General, FAO Fisheries Department, in his opening statement on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf, reminded delegates that this year was the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and pointed out that in 1982 and 1992 the amount of work to be undertaken to bring this fundamental law into practical effect was not known. He recalled that much work had been undertaken since those dates, but added that much still remained to be done, including the important substance of this Consultation. He went on to summarize the nine inter-related areas which offered a first attempt at defining ways for improving information on the status and trends of fisheries. He thanked the National Marine Fisheries Service of the United States of America for contributing towards the cost of this Technical Consultation. He also thanked the Census of Marine Life (CoML) of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, for providing financial support to fund the participation of some delegates. The full text of the opening statement is attached as Appendix D to this report.

5. Mr Estebán de Salas Ortueta (Spain) was elected Chairperson of the Consultation. Mr Seyed Aminollah Taghavi Motlagh (Islamic Republic of Iran) was elected Vice-Chairperson and Mr Flavio Celio Goldman (Brazil) the Rapporteur.

6. The Consultation adopted the Agenda as given in Appendix A.

7. The Consultation agreed with the Chairperson’s proposal that all discussions would be held in Plenary, though small groups could be established, as required, to address specific issues.

8. The Chairperson noted that significant work had been undertaken prior to the Consultation by the Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR) and invited the Chairperson of ACFR, Mr Michael Sissenwine, to inform the Consultation on the origins of its decision to call for improvements to information on the status and trends of capture fisheries. The Chairperson of ACFR explained that ACFR is a statutory committee under Article VI-2 of the FAO Constitution with a mandate to consider all fishery research needs and that the Committee/ACFR noted that:

• there are concerns that reporting of fisheries statistics is not as good as it should be and that information quality is deteriorating;

• status and trends information is very important in setting policy agendas;

• there are concerns that existing processes for assembling status and trends information lacked the transparency as called for in the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; and

• a Working Party on Status and Trends of Fisheries established by ACFR had recommended that the global system of status and trends reporting be advanced by increasing completeness of the current system, expanding its scope and enhancing quality assurance and that an international plan of action be drafted.

9. The Chairperson noted that, following submission of the draft proposal for improved global reporting on the status and trends of fisheries to the Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries, COFI had instructed that this Technical Consultation should take place and invited the Secretary of COFI, Mr Benedict Satia, to inform the Consultation of COFI’s discussions and recommendations. The Secretary of COFI noted that the Committee unanimously recognized that status and trends studies were fundamental to the FAO mandate and that reporting on fisheries status and trends had shortcomings that required attention. The Committee instructed FAO to hold a Technical Consultation to:

• consider how fisheries status and trends reporting could be improved effectively;

• consider the possible development of an international plan of action;

• consider data and information collection and analysis at the national, regional and global levels;

• give particular attention to the needs of developing countries for capacity-building; and

• elaborate proposals on these issues for presentation to the Twenty-fifth Session of COFI to be held in February 2003.

The relevant extract from the report of the Twenty-fourth Session of COFI is attached as Appendix E to this report.

10. The Chairperson also invited the Secretary of the Consultation, Mr Richard Grainger, to introduce document FI:STF/2002/2, “Proposal for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries”. The Secretary noted that:

• there is increasing demand for reliable status and trends information whereas the quality of information at the global level has been deteriorating;

• the Annex to the document contained a draft international plan of action, revised to take into account discussions at the Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries; and

• nine inter-related areas for required actions had been included in the proposal, in particular the issue of capacity-building in developing countries.

Proposal for Improving Status and Trends Reporting on Capture Fisheries

11. The Chairperson noted that COFI’s instructions were to consider how to improve information on the status and trends of fisheries, and to consider whether an international plan of action, or other means, is an appropriate instrument that would be effective for this task. Accordingly, the Chairperson suggested, and the meeting agreed, that the conduct of the Consultation should begin to address the issue in four stages, as follows:

a) General perspectives of delegates on the overall issue;

b) Discussion and agreement on the substantive issues raised in the Annex to document FI:STF/2002/2 “Draft International Plan of Action for Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries” through detailed consideration of Part 5: Required Actions;

c) Discussion and agreement on the nature of the instrument to be used for putting into effect a plan for improving information on status and trends of capture fisheries, and

d) Following discussion and agreement on these three stages, the Consultation would then return to the main body of the document for further discussion and drafting as appropriate.

Stage 1 - General perspectives

12. Delegates generally confirmed their understanding of the need to improve information on the status and trends of fisheries, both from their national and international perspectives and offered their support for a plan on the issue.

Stage 2 - Required actions and mechanisms for promotion and implementation

13. The Consultation agreed on the nature and content of the required actions.

Stage 3 - Instrument for putting into effect the required actions and mechanisms for promotion and implementation

14. The Consultation considered appropriate instruments that might be used to improve information on the status and trends of fisheries. It was noted that the draft document presented to the Consultation had proposed an international plan of action (IPOA) because COFI uses this form of instrument to address other important issues to facilitate the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. While most delegations could support the use of an IPOA, some delegations expressed the view that an IPOA would not be the most effective instrument for improving information on the status and trends of fisheries.

15. The Consultation expressed the view that the issue of improving information on the status and trends of fisheries should have a high priority with regard to implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Consultation agreed that a Strategy is a more appropriate instrument because a strategy is a document that sets forth objectives, policies, programmes, actions and decisions that define who will do what and why. Briefly, it could be seen as the course of action to achieve defined objectives. It is both partly planned and partly reactive to changing circumstances. In this regard improving information on the status and trends of fisheries is a broad topic that applies to a wide range of issues and for a longer term. It also takes into account the provisions of other instruments, including the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Consultation felt that a strategy could be used as a foundation for IPOAs and other policy instruments and that it clearly establishes an ongoing commitment at national, regional and global levels.

Stage 4 - Consideration of the revised proposal for a Strategy

16. The Consultation revised the draft International Plan of Action for Improving Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries to reflect the choice of a Strategy as the instrument to promote this initiative. The draft Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries is attached as Appendix F.

Adoption of the Report of the Consultation

17. The Consultation recognized that it would be necessary for FAO and FAO Members to elaborate programmes to implement the Strategy. It was suggested that COFI identify approaches to ensure the effective implementation of this Strategy.

18. It requested the Secretariat to present this report and the draft FAO Status and Trends Strategy to the Twenty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries.

19. The Consultation adopted on 28 March 2002 the administrative report and the draft Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries that may be referred to as the FAO Status and Trends Strategy.

Closure of the Technical Consultation

20. In closing the Consultation, the Chairperson thanked all delegates for their hard work during the meeting.

21. The Consultation expressed its thanks to the Chairperson and also to the Vice-Chairperson and the Rapporteur for their support.

Appendix A. Agenda

1. Opening of the Session
2. Election of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Rapporteur
3. Adoption of the Agenda and arrangements for the Technical Consultation
4. Proposal for improved status and trends reporting on capture fisheries
5. Adoption of the Report
6. Closing of the Technical Consultation

Appendix B. List of Participants

ALGERIA/ALGÉRIE/ARGELIA

Karima GHOUL IDJER (Ms)
Sous-Directrice des statistiques et des études prospectives
Ministère de la pêche et des ressources halieutiques
Rue des 04 Canons
16000 Alger
Phone: +213 021 433987
Fax: +213 021 433168
Email: [email protected]

ANGOLA

Carlos A. AMARAL
Représentant adjoint de la
République d’Angola
Ambassade de la République d’Angola
Via Filippo Bernardini 21
00165 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 0639366902
Fax: +39 0639366570
Email: [email protected]

Rafael PASCOAL
Head of Delegation
Ministerio das Pescas
Av. 4 Favereiro 83
Luanda

ARGENTINA/ARGENTINE

Ariel FERNANDEZ
Representante Permanente Alterno de la República Argentina ante la FAO
Embajada de la República Argentina
Piazza dell’Esquilino 2
00185 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 064742551/6
Fax: +39 064819787
Email: [email protected]

AUSTRALIA/AUSTRALIE

Brett HUGHES
Alternate Permanent Representative of Australia to FAO
Australian Embassy
Via Alessandria 215
00198 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0685272376
Fax: +39 0685272300
Email: [email protected]

BAHRAIN/BAHREÏN/BAHREIN

Jassim Ahmed AL QASEER
Director
Ministry of Housing & Agriculture
Directorate of Fisheries & Marine
Resources
P.O. Box 20071
Bahrain
Phone: +973 729595
Fax: +973 728459
Email: [email protected]

BRAZIL/BRÉSIL/BRASIL

Sebastião SALDANHA NETO
General-Coordinator of Fishery Resources
Ibama/MMA
Av. L4 - Norte
70.800.000 Brasilia-DF
Phone: +55 613161480
Fax: +55 613161238
Email: [email protected]

Flavio Celio GOLDMAN
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Federative Republic of Brazil to FAO
Permanent Representation of the
Federative Republic of Brazil to FAO
Via di Santa Maria dell’Anima 32
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0668307576
Fax: +39 0668398802
Email: [email protected]

Geovãnio Milton DE OLIVEIRA
General Coordinator of Fishery Fostering
Dept. of Fishery and Marine Life
Ministerio de Agricultura Pecuaria e
Abastecimento
Esplanada dos Ministerios
Bloco “D”, 9^o andor Sala 946
70 000-000 Brasilia D.F.
Phone: +55 612182880
Fax: +55 612245049
Email: [email protected]

José Angel PEREZ
Professor of the Vale do Itajai
University/SC
Responsible for the Programme
“Actions for Fisheries Development in the South of Brazil”
CTTMar-UNIVALI
Cx. Postal 360
Itajaí- SC - CEP 88.302-202
Phone: +55 473917714

BURUNDI

Roger KANYARU
Directeur du Département des eaux, pêche et pisciculture
B.P. 1850
Bujumbura

CAMBODIA/CAMBODGE/CAMBOYA

Lieng SOPHA
Senior Fisheries Officer
Department of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
#186, Norodom Blvd. Khan
Chamcar Morn., P.O. Box 582
Phnom Penh
Phone: +855 12-956930
Fax: +855 23-427048
Email: [email protected]

CAMEROON/CAMEROUN/CAMERÚN

Salvador NGOANDE
Sous-Directeur de la pêche industrielle et artisanale
Ministère de l’élevage, des pêches et des industries animales (MINEPIA)
MINEPIA/DIRPEC
Yaoundé
Fax: +237 2221405
Email: [email protected]

CANADA/CANADÁ

Blair HANKEY
Counsellor and Acting Permanent
Representative
Canadian Embassy
Via Zara 30
00198 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06445981
Fax: +39 0644598930
Email: [email protected]

CHILE/CHILI

Angel SARTORI
Embajador
Misión de Chile ante los Organismos de las Naciones Unidas en Roma
FAO, FIDA y PMA
Representación Permanente de la
República de Chile ante la FAO
Via Po 22
00198 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 068417450
Fax: +39 0685833855
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

CHINA/CHINE

Xiao Ming DING
Chief
Division of Market and Processing
Bureau of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture
No. 11 Nongzhanguan Nanli
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100026
Phone: +86 10 64192925
Fax: +86 10 64192925
Email: [email protected]

Yamin WANG
Permanent Representation of the
People’s Republic of China to the
United Nations Agencies for Food and
Agriculture in Rome
Via della Caffarella 9
00179 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0651605210
Fax: +39 065137344
Email: [email protected]

Gang ZHAO
Principal Staff Member
Bureau of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture
Division of International Cooperation
No. 11 Nongzhanguan Nanli
Beijing 100026
Phone: +86 10 64192928
Fax: +86 10 64192951
Email: inter - [email protected]

Guo ZHI JIE
Deputy Director
Ministry of Agriculture
China Society Fisheries
Division of Information
Bildg, 18 Maizidian Street, Room 203
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100026
Phone: +86 10 64195141
Fax: +86 10 64195141
Email: [email protected]

COLOMBIA/COLOMBIE

Luis Eduardo QUINTERO LEAL
Director
Productive Chains, Ministry of Agriculture
Av. Jimenez No. 7-65
Bogotá

Bernardo G. ZULUAGA BOTERO
Representante Permanente Adjunto
Embajada de la República de Colombia
Via G. Pisanelli 4 int. 10
00196 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 063202405
Fax: +39 063225798
Email: [email protected]

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF/CONGO, RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU/CONGO, REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DEL

Innocent MOKASA MANDENDE
Ministre Conseiller
Représentant permanent adjoint de la
République démocratique du Congo auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de la République démocratique du Congo
Via Barberini 3
00187 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 0642010779
Fax: +39 0642010779
Email: [email protected]

CONGO, REPUBLIC OF/CONGO, RÉPUBLIQUE DU/CONGO, REPÚBLICA DEL

Emile ESSEMA
Représentant adjoint de la République du Congo auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de la République du Congo
Via Ombrone 8/10
00198 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 3475567732
Fax: +39 0641400218

Bernard MANKENE
Coordonnateur du Projet statistiques sur la pêche
Ministère de l’économie forestière
Chargé de la pêche et des ressources halieutiques
BP 1650
Brazzaville

COSTA RICA

Yolanda GAGO (Ms)
Representante Permanente Alterno de la República de Costa Rica ante la FAO
Representación Permanente de la
República de Costa Rica ante la FAO
Via B. Eustachio 22
00161 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 0644251046
Fax: +39 0644251048
Email: [email protected]

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA/RÉPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DÉMOCRATIQUE DE CORÉE/REPÚBLICA POPULAR DEMOCRÁTICA DE COREA

Hyon HAK BONG
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of Korea to FAO
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Korea
Via Ludovico di Savoia 23
00185 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0677209094
Fax: +39 0677209111

Ri HYONG CHOL
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of of Korea to FAO
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Korea
Via Ludovico di Savoia 23
00185 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0677209094
Fax: +39 0677209111

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/RÉPUBLIQUE DOMINICAINE/REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA

Cecilio DIAZ CARELA
Secretaría de Estado de Medio
Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Subsecretaría de Recursos Costeros y Marinos
Urb. Jardines del Norte
Km 6 1/2, Aut. Duarte
Santo Domingo R.D.
Phone: +1 809 7324988
Fax: +1 809 5473057
Email: [email protected]

ECUADOR/ÉQUATEUR

Rafael TRUJILLO BEJARANO
Subsecretario de Recursos Pesqueros
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior,
Industrialización y Competitividad
Av. 9 de octubre 200
Edif. Banco Central, Piso 7
Guayaquil

Orlando CRESPO SAN MARTIN
Asesor Técnico de la
Subsecretaría de Recursos Pesqueros
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior,
Industrialización, Pesca y
Competitividad
Av. 9 de octubre 200
Ed. Bco Central Piso 7o.
Guayaquil

EGYPT/ÉGYPTE/EGIPTO

Maryam Ahmed Moustafa MOUSA (Ms)
Minister Plenipotentiary for Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and Deputy
Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the
UN Organizations in Rome
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Via Salaria 267
00199 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 8440191
Fax: +39 068554424
Email: [email protected]

ERITREA/ÉRYTHRÉE

Yohannes TENSUE
Alternate Permanent Representative of Eritrea to FAO
Embassy of Eritrea
Via Boncompagni 16/6
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0642741293
Fax: +39 0642086806
Email: [email protected]

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (MEMBER ORGANIZATION)/COMMUNAUTÉ EUROPÉENNE (ORGANISATION MEMBRE)/COMUNIDAD EUROPEA (ORGANIZACIÓN MIEMBRO)

Carmen OCHOA DE MICHELENA
(Mme)
Administrateur
Direction générale de la pêche B/1
200 rue de la Loi
B-1049 Bruxelles, Belgique
Phone: +32 2 2994884
Fax: +32 2 2963986
Email: [email protected]

FIJI/FIDJI

Satya NANDLAL
Principal Fisheries Officer (Research)
Ministry of Fisheries and Forests
Fisheries Department
PO Box 3165
Suva
Phone: +679 361122
Fax: +679 361184
Email: [email protected]

FRANCE/FRANCIA

Michel THIBIER
Représentant permanent adjoint de la
France auprès de l’OAA
Conseiller scientifique
Représentation permanente de la France
Corso del Rinascimento 52
00186 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 0668405240
Fax: +39 066892692
Email: [email protected]

GHANA

Kwame A. KORANTENG
Assistant Director of Fisheries
Marine Fisheries Research Division
P.O. Box BT-62
Tema, Ghana
Phone: +233 22 208048
Fax: +233 22 203066
Email: [email protected]

GUATEMALA

Ileana RIVERA de ANGOTTI (Sra)
Representante Alterno de la
República de Guatemala ante la FAO
Embajada de la República de Guatemala ante la Santa Sede
Piazzale San Gregorio VII 65
00165 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 066381632
Fax: +39 0639376981
Email: [email protected]

HUNGARY/HONGRIE/HUNGRÍA

János KOVÁCS
Counsellor
Embassy of the Republic of Hungary
(Office of the Permanent Representative)
Via Luigi Lilio 59 C3
00143 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 065190116
Fax: +39 065032121
Email: [email protected]

ICELAND/ISLANDE/ISLANDIA

Thórir SKARPHEDINSSON
Legal Adviser
Ministry of Fisheries
Skúlagata 4
150 Reykjavik
Phone: +354 5609670
Fax: +354 5621853
Email: [email protected]

Jón Erlingur JÓNASSON
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iceland to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Iceland
Via Nazionale 163
00184 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 066938 0008
Fax: +39 06 6929 2908

INDIA/INDE

P.K. PATTANAIK
Joint Secretary (Fisheries)
Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Ministry of Agriculture
Krishi Bhawan
New Delhi - 110001
Phone: +9111 3381994
Email: [email protected]

INDONESIA/INDONÉSIE

Sunggul SINAGA
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
Via Campania 55
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0642009434
Fax: +39 064880280
Email: [email protected]

IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF)/IRAN (RÉPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE D’)/IRÁN (REPÚBLICA ISLÁMICA DEL)

Seyed Aminollah TAGHAVI MOTLAGH
Director-General for Capture Fishery
Iranian Fishery Co. (Shilat)
Teheran

Mostafa JAFARI
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to FAO
Permanent Representation of the
Islamic Republic of Iran to FAO
Via Aventina 8
00153 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 065743594
Fax: +39 065747636
Email: [email protected]

IRELAND/IRLANDE/IRLANDA

Jim CONDON
Senior Sea Fishery Officer
Southern Region
Department of the Marine and
Natural Resources
Sea Fisheries Control & Enforcement
Sullivan’s Quay, Cork
Phone: +353121 313410
Fax: +353121 313418

Tony DEVLIN
Alternate Permanent Representative of Ireland to FAO
Embassy of Ireland
Piazza Campitelli 3
00186 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 066979121
Fax: +39 066792354
Email: [email protected]

ITALY/ITALIE/ITALIA

Piera MARIN (Ms)
Collaboratore Agrario
Ufficio Rapporti Internazionali
Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali
Ufficio Relazioni Internazionali
Via XX Settembre 20
00187 Roma
Phone: +39 066788252
Fax: +39 066796352
Email: [email protected]

JAPAN/JAPON/JAPÓN

Hideki MORONUKI
Alternate Permanent Representative of Japan to FAO
Embassy of Japan
Via Quintino Sella 60
00187 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06487991
Fax: +39 064885109
Email: [email protected]

KENYA

Samuel Cheronge YEGON
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya
Via Archimede 164
00197 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 068082714
Fax: +39 068082707
Email: [email protected]

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF/CORÉE, RÉPUBLIQUE DE/COREA, REPÚBLICA DE

Bundo YOON
Assistant Director
Fishery Resource Management Division
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
139 Chungjong- No 3
Seodaemun-Gu
Seoul 120-715
Phone: +82-2 31486932
Fax: +82-2 31486935

Jung Hee CHO
Senior Researcher
Korea Maritime Institute
NFFC B/D 11-6
Shinchun-Dong, Songpa-Ku
Seoul 138-730
Phone: +82 2 21052856
Fax: +82 2 21052859
Email: [email protected]

LIBYA/LIBYE/LIBIA

Nuri Ibrahim HASAN
Ambassador to FAO
Permanent Representation of the Socialist People’s Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya to FAO
Via Nomentana 365
00162 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 068603880
Fax: +39 068603880

MALAYSIA/MALAISIE/MALASIA

Chai Fong LIM (Ms)
Fisheries Officer
Planning Section
Department of Fisheries
8th Floor, Wisma Tani
Jalon Suttan Salahuddin
50628 Kuala Lumpur

Muhamad Nahar Mohd SIDEK
Alternate Permanent Representative of Malaysia to FAO
Embassy of Malaysia
Via Nomentana 297
00162 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 068411339
Fax: +39 068555110
Email: [email protected]

MALI/MALÍ

Odile CAMARA (Ms)
Ingénieur des eaux et forêts
Ministère du développement rural
BP 275
Bamako
Phone: +223 225850
Fax: +223 221134
Email: [email protected]

Modibo Mahamane TOURÉ
Représentant permanent suppléant de la République du Mali auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de la République du Mali
Via Antonio Bosio 2
00161 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 0644254068
Fax: +39 0644254029

MALTA/MALTE

Matthew CAMILLERI
Fisheries Consultant
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Fort San Lucjan
Marsaxlokk BBG 06
Phone: +356 650934
Fax: +356 659380
Email: [email protected]

MAURITANIA/MAURITANIE

Djimé DIAGANA
Secrétaire général
Ministère des pêches et de l’économie maritime
B.P. 137
Nouakchott
Phone: +222 5259970
Fax: +222 5253146
Email: [email protected]

MOROCCO/MAROC/MARRUECOS

Noureddine EL HAMDANI
Chef de Division des structures de la pêche
Ministère des pêches maritimes
Rabat Agdal
Phone: +212 37688217
Fax: +212 37688245

Ahmed FAOUZI
Représentant permanent adjoint auprès des Organisations des Nations
Unies à Rome
Ambassade du Royaume du Maroc
Via L. Spallanzani 8/10
00161 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 064402524
Fax: +39 064402695

NIGERIA/NIGÉRIA

T.O. AJAYI
Director
Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and
Marine Research
Wilmot Point Road
Bar-Beach
P.M.B. 12729
Lagos
Phone: +234 01 2617530
Fax: +234 01 619517
Email: [email protected]

B.M.B. LADU
Director
National Institute for Freshwater
Fisheries Research (NIFFR)
Private Mail Bag 6006
New-Bussa, Niger State
Phone: +234 031670444
Fax: +234 031670105
Email: [email protected]

M.A. ONABANJO (Ms)
Deputy Director
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development
Federal Department of Fisheries,
Area Eleven
Garki, Abuja
Phone: +234 092345129
Fax: +234 092346524
Email: [email protected]

OMAN/OMÁN

Rasmi MAHMOUD
Liaison Officer with FAO
Alternate Delegate
Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman
Via della Cammilluccia 625
00135 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0636300517
Fax: +39 063296802
Email: [email protected]

PANAMA/PANAMÁ

Rossana Luigia AMEGLIO (Ms)
Embajador de Panamá ante la FAO
Representación Permanente de la
República de Panamá ante la FAO
Viale Regina Margherita 239 - piso 4
00198 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 0644265429
Fax: +39 0644252332
Email: [email protected]

Horacio MALTEZ
Representante Permanente Adjunto de la República de Panama ante la FAO
Representación Permanente de la
República de Panamá ante la FAO
Viale Regina Margherita 239 - piso 4
00198 Roma, Italia
Phone: +39 0642265429
Fax: +39 0644252332
Email: [email protected]

PERU/PÉROU/PERÚ

Jorge ZUZUNAGA
Asesor del Despacho Vice-ministerial de Pesqueria
Secretaria del Despacho
Vice-ministerial
Calle Uno Oeste No. 060
Lima
Phone: +51 1 2243334
Fax: +51 1 2242950

PHILIPPINES/FILIPINAS

Noël D. DE LUNA
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of the
Philippines
Via delle Medaglie d’Oro 112
00136 Rome, Italy
Phone: +390639746717
Fax: +390639740872
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

QATAR

Ali Iahed AL-HAJIRI
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to FAO
Embassy of the State of Qatar
Via Antonio Bosio 14
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0644249450
Fax: +39 0644245273

Mohamed AL-THANI
Alternate Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to FAO
Embassy of the State of Qatar
Via Antonio Bosio 14
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0644249450
Fax: +39 0644245273

Akeel HATOOR
Alternate Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to FAO
Embassy of the State of Qatar
Via Antonio Bosio 14
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0644249450
Fax: +39 0644245273

ROMANIA/ROUMANIE/RUMANIA

Ioan PAVEL
Représentant permanent adjoint de la Roumanie auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de Roumanie
Via Nicoló Tartaglia 36
00197 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 068084529
Fax: +39 068084995
Email: [email protected]

SAUDI ARABIA, KINGDOM OF/ARABIE SAOUDITE, ROYAUME D’/ARABIA SAUDITA, REINO DE

Abdulaziz A. AL-YAHYA
G. Director of Marine Fishery Dept.
Ministry of Agriculture and Water
P.O. Box 85954
Riyadh 11612
Phone: +966 1 4031798
Fax: +966 1 4031798
Email: [email protected]

Abdulrahman I.A. ALSULAIMAN
Fisheries Researcher
Ministry of Agriculture
P.O. Box 85954
Riyadh 11612
Phone: +966 1 4031798
Fax: +966 1 4031798

SENEGAL/SÉNÉGAL

Moussa Bocar LY
Représentant permanent adjoint de la
République du Sénégal auprès de la FAO
Ambassade de la République du Sénégal
Via Giulia 66
00186 Rome, Italie
Phone: +39 066872353
Fax: +39 066865212

SIERRA LEONE/SIERRA LEONA

Elio PACIFICO
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Via Orsini 42
Naples, Italy
Phone: +39 081 7640866

SPAIN/ESPAGNE/ESPAÑA

Estebán DE SALAS ORTUETA
Consejero Técnico
Ministerio Agricultura Pesca y
Alimentación c/Jose Ortega y Gasset 57
Madrid 28006

Bonja VELASCO
Jefe de Sección de Asuntos Comunitarios y de Control
Ministerio de Agricultura Pesca y
Alimentación c/Jose Ortega y Gasset 57
Madrid 28076

THAILAND/THAÏLANDE/TAILANDIA

Phutchapol SUVANACHAI
Senior Fisheries Biologist
Fisheries Resources Information Division
Department of Fisheries
Kasetklang, Chatuchak
Bangkok 10900
Phone: +662 5795591
Fax: +662 9406275
Email: [email protected]

Chao TIANTONG
Minister (Agriculture)
Permanent Representative of Thailand to FAO
Office of Agricultural Affairs
Royal Thai Embassy
Via Cassia 929
00189 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0630363687
Fax: +39 0630312700
Email: [email protected]

TURKEY/TURQUIE/TURQUÍA

Selçuk ERBAS
Deputy Head of Department of Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Milli Mudafa Cad. 20-7
1114 Yenisehir
Ankara
Phone: +90 312 4183278
Fax: +90 312 4170026
Email: [email protected]

Serap OZCOSKUN
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
Via Palestro 28
00185 Rome, Italy

UGANDA/OUGANDA

Dick NYEKO
Commissioner for Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Department of Fisheries Resources
P.O. Box 4
Entebbe
Phone: +256 41322026
Fax: +256 41320496
Email: [email protected]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES/ÉMIRATS ARABES UNIS/EMIRATOS ÁRABES UNIDOS

Ahmed Abdul Rahman AL-JANAHI
Head of Fishery Extension Section
P.O. Box 21
Umm Al Quwain
Phone: +971 6 2958161
Fax: +971 6 7655581

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA/ÉTATS-UNIS D’AMÉRIQUE/ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA

William FOX
Director
National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Science and Technology
US Department of Commerce
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Michael SISSENWINE
Director, Northeast Regional
Science Center
National Marine Fisheries Service
US Department of Commerce
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 025403
Phone: +1 508 4952233
Fax: +1 508 4952232
Email: [email protected]

Colin MCIFF
Senior Global Fisheries Officer
Office of Marine Conservation
US Department of State
2201 C St. NW
Washington DC 20520
Email: [email protected]

S. FORDHAM
The Ocean Conservancy
Fisheries Project Manager
US Department of State
Suite 600
1725 Desales St. NW
Washington, DC 20036

YEMEN/YÉMEN

Ahmed Hummed AL-HAWRI
Permanent Representative of the
Republic of Yemen to FAO
Permanent Representation of the
Republic of Yemen to FAO
Via Alessandro Malladra 10B int.10
00157 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 064504308
Fax: +39 064504308

ZIMBABWE

Rudo Grace MANYARARA (Ms)
Alternate Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe to FAO
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Via Virgilio 8
00193 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 0668308282
Fax: +39 0668308324
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES

RUSSIAN FEDERATION/FÉDÉRATION DE RUSSIE/FEDERACIÓN DE RUSIA

Igor V. SHAPOVALOV
Minister Plenipotentiary
Observer of the Russian Federation to FAO
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Via Gaeta 5
00185 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 064941680
Fax: +39 06491031
Email: [email protected]

Alexander YAKIMUSHKIN
Alternate Observer of the Russian
Federation to FAO
Representative of the State Committee for Fisheries of the Russian
Federation
Via Luigi Magrini 10/B33
00146 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 065592972
Fax: +39 065592972
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
BANQUE AFRICAINE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT
BANCO AFRICANO DE DESARROLLO

Elie DOTE
Chef de Division OCAR 1
Banque Africaine de Développement
BP 1387
Abidjan
Ivory Coast

COMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ANTARCTIC MARINE LIVING RESOURCES
COMMISSION POUR LA CONSERVATION DE LA FAUNE ET DE LA FLORE MARINES DE L’ANTARCTIQUE
COMISIÓN PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN DE LOS RECURSOS MARINOS VIVOS DEL ANTÁRTICO

David RAMM
Data Manager, CCAMLR
PO Box 213
North Hobart 7002
Tasmania, Australia
Phone: +61-3-62310556
Fax: +61-3-62349965
Email: [email protected]

COORDINATING WORKING PARTY ON FISHERY STATISTICS
GROUPE DE TRAVAIL CHARGÉ DE COORDONNER LES STATISTIQUES DES PÊCHES
GRUPO COORDINADOR DE TRABAJO SOBRE ESTADÍstICAS DE PESCA

David CROSS
Vice-Chairperson, CWP
Head of Sector “Fisheries”
Directorate for Agriculture, Environment
& Energy Statistics, EUROSTAT
Bâtiment Jean Monnet
BP 1907
Luxembourg, Grand Duchy
Phone: +352 430137249
Fax: +352 430137318
Email: [email protected]

INDIAN OCEAN TUNA COMMISSION
COMMISSION DES THONS DE L’OCÉAN INDIEN
COMISIÓN DEL ATÚN PARA EL OCÉANO ÍNDICO

David ARDILL
Secretary, IOTC
PO Box 1011
Fishing Port
Victoria, Mahé
Seychelles
Phone: +248 225494
Fax: +248 224364
Email: [email protected]

INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION
COMMISSION INTERAMÉRICAINE DU THON TROPICAL
COMISIÓN INTERAMERICANA DEL ATÚN TROPICAL

Robin L. ALLEN
Director
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037-1508
USA
Phone: +1 858 5467019
Fax: +1 858 5467133
Email: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL COMMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ATLANTIC TUNAS
COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE POUR LA CONSERVATION DES THONIDÉS DE L’ATLANTIQUE
COMISIÓN INTERNACIONAL PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN DEL ATÚN DEL ATLÁNTICO

Victor RESTREPO
Senior Scientist
ICCAT
Corazón de Maria 8
28002 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 91 4165600
Fax: +34 914 152612
Email: [email protected]

NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION DES PÊCHES DE L’ATLANTIQUE NORD-OUEST
ORGANIZACIÓN DE PESQUERÍAS DEL ATLÁNTICO NOROESTE

Tissa AMARATUNGA
Assistant Executive Secretary, NAFO
P.O. Box 638
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 3Y9
Canada
Phone: +1 902 468 5590
Fax: +1 902 468 5538
Email: [email protected]

SUB-REGIONAL FISHERY COMMISSION FOR WEST AFRICA
COMMISSION SOUS-RÉGIONALE DES PÊCHES POUR L’AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE
COMISIÓN SUBREGIONAL DE PESCA PARA ÁFRICA OCCIDENTAL

Ciré Amadou KANE
Chargé de Programmes scientifique et technique
Secrétariat permanent de la CSRP
Dakar
Sénégal
Email: [email protected]

OBSERVERS FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

CENSUS OF MARINE LIFE

Jesse H. AUSUBEL
Program Director, Census of Marine Life
Alfred P.Sloan Foundation
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2550
New York, NY 10111
Phone: +1212 6491649
Fax: +1212 7575117
Email: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL DES FEMMES
CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE MUJERES

Lydie ROSSINI VAN HISSENHOVEN (Ms)
ICW Permanent Representative to FAO
International Council of Women
Via Thailandia 26
00144 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 065923993
Fax: +39 065923993

Yvonne MELCHIORRI (Ms)
International Council of Women
Viale Aventino 89
00153 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 065743943
Fax: +39 0657136190
Email: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL FISH MEAL AND FISH OIL ORGANIZATION

Jean-François MITTAINE
Commercial Director
IFFO France
13, rue Madeleine Michelis
92200 Neuilly s/Seine
France
Phone: +33 1 47221265
Fax: +33 1 47223881
Email: [email protected]

WORLD CONFEDERATION OF LABOUR
CONFÉDÉRATION MONDIALE DU TRAVAIL
CONFEDERACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL TRABAJO

Pio FRASGHINI
WCL Secretariat for Trade Action c/o ACLI
Via G. Marcora 18/20
00153 Rome, Italy

WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
FÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE MONDIALE
FEDERACIÓN SINDICAL MUNDIAL

Anna Laura CASADEI (Ms)
Représentante permanente de la
FSM auprès de la FAO
Via G. Marangoni 10
00162 Rome, Italie

OFFICERS OF THE TECHNICAL CONSULTATION

FAO FISHERIES DEPARTMENT

SECRETARIAT

Appendix C. List of Documents

Appendix D. Opening Statement by Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General, FAO Fisheries Department

Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my pleasure on behalf of Dr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to welcome you to this Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries.

This year is the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Little did we know back in 1982 and 1992 how much work faced us, or how many changes we would need to make, to bring this fundamental law into practical effect and to include a holistic view of the environment into our perspectives.

Arguably, UNCLOS introduced the most fundamental changes to State jurisdiction, rights and responsibilities that the world has ever undertaken in a peaceful way. It completely changed national geographies, it moved us away from the global commons of the oceans where the advantages were with the powerful, and it was done with a unanimity rare in international relations.

UNCED likewise recognized that fundamental changes were needed. It brought into sharp focus the interdependence of humankind and the environment, and the urgency with which we need to understand this and to find ways of assuring sustainability for future generations. The climate, the physical and biological environment, the scale and essence of biodiversity, and the effects on these of human intervention (and vice versa) all became linked. A forward-looking and newly-cautious approach was agreed, which added weight to arguments that UNCLOS needed support from other instruments. The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the UN Fish Stocks Agreements have resulted, and these have given us yet more detailed guidance on how to tackle problems and find solutions in the quest for fisheries sustainability.

Just as important as these global instruments are the numerous national and regional instruments, and the requirements for reliable information in support of sound policy-making for fisheries and effective fisheries management. Many countries and regional fishery organizations are striving to implement the Code of Conduct.

In summary, much has been achieved since 1982, and particularly since 1992, but much remains to be done.

Distinguished delegates,

Many of the problems have long been obvious, including overexploitation and overcapitalisation; advantaged and disadvantaged peoples; pollution and habitat degradation; ecosystem shifts and biodiversity impoverishment; and many more. One of the main problems is that solutions are not always easy to find, and that a fuller understanding of the nature and extent of problems, and how they interact with other problems, needs to be developed along the way to deciding on appropriate solutions.

We need to know where we stand, where we are going, and how is the system reacting to our activities. Improving our understanding of the status and trends of fisheries is thus absolutely essential to finding solutions. It will help us define more clearly the nature of our problems. Improved global understanding will almost certainly reveal some elements of the local solutions we need, for example to reduce fleets and catches so that stocks may return to sustainable abundance levels and to generate alternative employment opportunities. Improved understanding will generate ideas for new management methodologies, progress in fishery science and accelerated development of the whole panoply of knowledge we need to gain for future sustainability.

Improved understanding of the status and trends of fisheries will also reveal the performance of our interventions. The accomplishment of fisheries management in its approach to sustainability can be revealed in the changes to the status and trend of a fishery. More information, particularly on the environment, will help us to distinguish between the effects of natural events (including climate change) and those of human origin, including management.

All these are generally accepted wisdoms, but are worth repeating here for the simple reason that our knowledge of the status and trends of world fisheries needs urgent and significant improvement. This is why you, distinguished delegates, are here today.

UNCLOS instructs us to obtain ‘best scientific evidence’ on which to base decisions. UNCED insists that we take a ‘precautionary approach’ when evidence is insufficient and risk is high. The Code of Conduct explains principles, standards and relationships that should be part of the solutions. The Commission on Sustainable Development asks us to develop comprehensive sustainability indicators. (Not that this is new: in fisheries management and science it is what we always aim to do, albeit not always what we do best.) The UN Fish Stocks Agreement recognizes the unity of transboundary stocks, and calls for coherent transboundary solutions. These instruments, and others at national and regional levels, in all their variety, have set the stage for action; by nations, regions, the international community and all stakeholders, public and private. How, then, to begin the actions that are needed?

Facing this set of agreements, rights and obligations, coastal States and fishing nations have been struggling to fulfil data and research needs and improve science-based decision-making processes. A lot has been already achieved but further efforts are needed to optimize and coordinate what is already being done, to do more where required, and to assist where capacity is still insufficient. There are various ways in which the necessary collaboration could be fostered and present efforts enhanced. The need for coherence and synergy with other converging FAO fishery initiatives requires that action be taken within the framework of the Code, enhancing further its implementation. In recent years, FAO members have effectively used for such purpose an International Plan of Action (IPOA). Such plans are designed to tackle important specific issues, and to set the voluntary framework under which cooperative action can be undertaken. Relatively specific, though pressing, issues were addressed in the early development of these instruments. Seabird mortality from longline fishing and the conservation of sharks received first attention, followed by the more general and pressing question of overcapacity. The acceptability of the IPOA instrument was then turned towards probably the most pressing and stressful management issue of our time - illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. We now have a voluntary IPOA framework for IUU fishing with which to achieve solutions.

Distinguished delegates,

We are gathered here to consider how to collectively improve our knowledge of the status and trends of fisheries. The Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries authorized this meeting, and instructed that we consider the overall issue and the ways of facilitating progress. Our deliberations and conclusions will be submitted to the next COFI which will consider and hopefully adopt our recommendations.

The status and trends monitoring issue and the ways of tackling it have deep implications and ramifications. The Committee of Fisheries has formally asked for reporting on the implementation of the Code and this requires better and more coordinated information. Some of the efforts required relate directly to the four existing IPOAs, all of which contain to a greater or lesser extent information requirements in their calls for action. The capacity of countries to respond is unequal and we need to identify the ways in which the international community can assist in closing the gap. Finally, the growing public requirements for objectivity and transparency need to be met to inform better and correct misinformation about the sector.

Whatever type of instrument we collectively choose to globally improve understanding of fisheries status and trends, we must focus our attention on practical solutions, taking into account the possible implications.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To facilitate your work, the main document you will consider highlights nine inter-related areas which offer you a first attempt at defining ways for improving information on the status and trends of fisheries. Some of the key areas are:

• the need for capacity-building in developing countries;

• data collection systems in small-scale fisheries and multispecies fisheries;

• expanding - within realistic bounds - the scope of information, including consideration of the needs for ecosystem-based fisheries management;

• developing a global inventory of fish stocks and fisheries;

• the process by which information will be more systematically exchanged utilizing modern information and communication technology;

• the development of criteria and methods of ensuring information quality and security;

• the development of partnership arrangements;

• the role of working parties to assess the status and trends of fisheries, and

• sustaining data collection and the provision of information on status and trends of fisheries.

Distinguished Delegates,

I am confident that we will all work together to submit comprehensive recommendations for improving information on the status and trends of capture fisheries to the Committee on Fisheries for its consideration at its Twenty-fifth Session in February 2003. I am also confident that we will spend productive time and effort to ensure that COFI’s consideration and decisions will enable an early start to the actions and solutions that you will help define.

Finally but importantly, I would like to thank the National Marine Fisheries Service of the United States of America for contributing towards the cost of this Technical Consultation without which it would probably not have been possible to hold it. I would also like to thank the Census of Marine Life of the Sloan Foundation for providing funds to assist the participation of some delegates from developing countries.

I wish us all a very successful meeting and a pleasant time in the beautiful city of Rome.

Thank you very much.

Appendix E. Extract From the Report of the Twenty-Fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries, Rome, 26 February - 2 March 2001

PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVED GLOBAL REPORTING ON THE STATUS AND TRENDS OF FISHERIES

73. The Secretariat and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries Research (ACFR) introduced document COFI/2001/8 which contained an Annex entitled “Draft International Plan of Action for Status and Trends Reporting on Fisheries” and highlighted the process through which the proposal had been elaborated.

74. The Committee was invited to discuss the proposed approach to improve the information available globally on status and trends of fisheries and consider whether an international plan of action would be an effective means in this regard.

75. The Committee unanimously recognized that status and trend studies were fundamental to the FAO mandate and also recognized the leading role of FAO in bringing about improvements to fishery data and information on status and trends of fisheries and fishery resources. It agreed that reporting on fishery status and trends had shortcomings which required attention.

76. It was noted that basic data of good quality were often lacking at the national level and that particular attention needed to be directed to multi-species fisheries and small-scale fisheries which prevailed in many tropical developing countries.

77. Recognizing that reliable fishery statistical data collection was a national responsibility and that adequate financial and other resources were often lacking for methodologically-sound statistical activities, some Members stated that an international plan of action might serve as a possible framework for the donor community to help countries in need. In this regard many Members stressed the importance of national capacity-building, especially in developing countries, in fishery statistics through Regular Programme activities and the direct assistance of FAO.

78. Some Members commended FAO on its development of an improved fishery information system, partially funded from extra-budgetary sources, and based on advanced technological tools for the international community.

79. Many Members supported the development of an IPOA and some stated that the draft IPOA presented in Annex 1 of document COFI/2001/8 represented a realistic approach. Some Members, however, did not agree that an IPOA was the best instrument at this moment to achieve long-term goals and flexibility, and that alternative approaches be sought. Some Members and observers stated that improvements to trend studies might come from a better networking between FAO and regional fishery bodies.

80. Noting the significant contribution of aquaculture to world fish production and the recommendations by the Committee for the establishment of a COFI Sub-Committee on Aquaculture, one delegation expressed concern that the draft IPOA presented in Annex 1 of the document did not include aquaculture.

81. The Committee emphasized the need for all States to have an opportunity to shape any future initiative in relation to status and trends reporting on fisheries, as well as in the drafting of the IPOA, if there were agreement to do this. To this effect the Committee recommended that a technical consultation be called by FAO to consider how fishery status and trends reporting could be improved effectively, including the possible development of an IPOA. The technical consultation should consider data and information collection and analysis and needs at the national, regional and global levels. Particular attention should be given to the needs of developing countries for capacity building. The proposals elaborated by the technical consultation should be presented to the Committee at its Twenty-fifth Session.

Appendix F. Draft Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Knowledge of the status and trends of capture fisheries and fishery resources, including socio-economic aspects, is a key to sound policy-making and responsible fisheries management. It is necessary at the national level for the maintenance of food security and for describing social and economic benefits of fisheries. Fisheries policy-making and management is a dynamic interdisciplinary process that needs to take account of the status and trends of fisheries. Information on the status and trends of fisheries is also essential for assessing the validity of fisheries policy and for tracking the performance of fisheries management.

2. There is a high level of public interest for information on the status and trends of fisheries. More accurate and timely information should result in a better-informed public that supports efforts to manage fisheries in a responsible manner. Disseminating timely and readily understandable information on the status and trends of fisheries should help to ensure transparency in fisheries management, as called for by the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (Paragraphs 6.13 and 7.1.9).

3. Application of the precautionary approach, based on the best scientific evidence available, is a key element of efforts to achieve responsible fisheries. This requires making information on the status and trends of fisheries available in a manner that supports policy making and fisheries management.

4. Information on the status and trends of fisheries is either needed for, or consistent with, many international instruments concerning fisheries, including:

• the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 which establishes the need to take account of the best scientific evidence available;

• the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks 1995 which specifies responsibilities for collecting and exchanging data necessary for stock assessments, including provisions for transparency (Article 12);

• FAO Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas 1993 which requires the exchange of some information on fishing vessels (Article VI);

• Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (hereafter referred to as the Code of Conduct) which calls for use of the best scientific evidence available, bilateral and multilateral cooperation in research and data collection (Article 6.4), regional mechanisms for cooperation to compile and exchange data (including information on socio-economic factors, Article 7.4), and publication and dissemination of results (Article 12);

• FAO International Plans of Action (IPOA) for implementing various aspects of the Code of Conduct, such as the IPOA for the Management of Fishing Capacity, which broadens the scope of the needed information on the status and trends of fisheries, to include measures of fishing capacity;

• The Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in Marine Ecosystems, which calls for greater consideration of ecosystems, thus implying that the scope of status and trends information should be further expanded to reflect ecosystem considerations;

• Commission for Sustainable Development, as called for by UNCED in Chapter 40 of Agenda 21, which requires States to report on sustainability indicators, which are likely to be partially based on fisheries status and trends information;

• International Conventions, such as the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (1973) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), which call for the collection and exchange of information on the status of biota;

• International Programmes, including the (a) United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), (b) United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, (c) Large Marine Ecosystem projects sponsored by the Global Environmental Facility, (d) Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics, and (e) Inter-Agency Committee on Sustainable Development, which call for, or need, fisheries information; and

• Most countries have revised their national legislation to align it with various international instruments such as those above, and promoting sustainable fisheries at the national level requires improved status and trends information.

5. The Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries was approved by consensus at the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) on _________. It may be referred to as the FAO Status and Trends Strategy.

PART 2: NATURE AND SCOPE

Nature of the Strategy

6. This Strategy has been elaborated within the framework of the Code of Conduct, as envisaged by Article 2 (d) and (e). The provisions of Article 3 of the Code of Conduct apply to the interpretation and application of this document and its relationship with other instruments. All concerned Members and non-members of FAO and fishing entities are encouraged to support its implementation.

7. This Strategy applies to the assembly and dissemination of information on the status and trends of fisheries. Data collection and research needs for monitoring the status and trends of fisheries are established by other international instruments, such as those noted in Paragraph 4 and existing obligations of States to report fisheries statistics to FAO under Article XI of the FAO Constitution. While this Strategy does not establish new legal obligations, it does propose to significantly invigorate data collection and research and it provides impetus for fulfilling those that already exist. This impetus should include additional support from relevant international organizations, whether governmental or non-governmental, and financial institutions (development partner agencies) for capacity building in developing countries.

8. In this Strategy, the reference to States includes the European Community in matters within its competence.

Scope of the Strategy

9. The Strategy is global in scope and is designed to cover all capture fisheries in inland and marine waters, including all industrial, commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries. It includes issues concerning species introductions (deliberate or unintentional), wild stock enhancement, wild fish destined for on-growing or fattening in captivity, and stock recovery.

10. The Strategy does not apply to aquaculture because aquaculture has distinctive requirements that need to be addressed specifically for this increasingly important sector.

11. The main focus of the Strategy is on information concerning the fishery resources and the primary fisheries sector, including socio-economic information.

PART 3: OBJECTIVE

12. The overall objective of the Strategy is to provide a framework for the improvement of knowledge and understanding of fishery status and trends as a basis for fisheries policy-making and management for the conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources within ecosystems.

13. The Strategy will be implemented through arrangements between States, directly or through their participation of regional fishery organizations, and FAO working cooperatively to assemble information on the status and trends of fisheries, and using modern information technology to manage and disseminate it. These arrangements should be established at various geographic scales, ranging from local, to national, to regional, and they should be linked to form a global system under the auspices of FAO. Wherever, and whenever, possible, existing organizations should be used as the basis of the arrangements.

14. Global efforts to assemble and disseminate comprehensive information (e.g., through the FAO Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS)) on the status and trends of fisheries are currently hindered because a complete inventory of the fisheries and fish stocks of the world does not exist. A key element of the Strategy is to prepare such inventories, which would be implemented in FIGIS.

15. Consistent with Article 5 of the Code of Conduct, the capacity of developing countries should be duly taken into account in implementing the Strategy. The capacity of developing countries, particularly the least-developed among them, small island States, and countries whose data collection systems are in a critical condition, needs to be greatly enhanced so that they can fulfil existing commitments to collect fisheries statistics and to conduct fisheries research, thus allowing them to more fully participate in the Strategy.

PART 4: GUIDING PRINCIPLES

16. The arrangements for implementation of this Strategy should be based on the six guiding principles highlighted in the paragraphs that follow.

Sustainability

17. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should be viable in the long term. As a consequence: (1) adequate funding should be provided at the national, regional and global levels, taking into account the resources available to countries, regional fishery bodies and FAO; and (2) the programme should consider the particular needs of developing countries which may require large investments in training and capacity building, to facilitate the formulation of appropriate national programmes or strategies.

Best Scientific Evidence

18. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should contribute to the best scientific evidence available. Protocols for assuring the quality of scientific information should be applied wherever and whenever practicable and appropriate. Such protocols should take account of the need to consider knowledge of participants in the fisheries, as well as traditional knowledge.

Participation and cooperation

19. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should adopt mechanisms for inclusion of all relevant participants in the preparation, analysis and presentation of fishery information. Relevant participants may include, inter alia, fishers, industry representatives, non-governmental organizations. States should, in accordance with international law, cooperate with other States in developing and maintaining such fishery information, as appropriate, either directly, or through appropriate intergovernmental organizations, including regional fishery bodies. States should provide feedback on the status and trends of fisheries to all relevant participants.

Objectivity and Transparency

20. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should contribute to providing the best scientific evidence available (Paragraph 18), and to transparency, in support of Article 6.13 of the Code of Conduct, while respecting any confidentiality requirements. Uncertainty associated with status and trends information should be expressed.

Timeliness

21. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should result in information being provided in a timely manner.

Flexibility

22. Arrangements for assembling and disseminating information on the status and trends of fisheries should be flexible enough to permit adjustments as necessary to ensure that they effectively support fishery policy-making and management through the provision of appropriate information.

PART 5: REQUIRED ACTIONS

Need for capacity-building in developing countries

23. States, relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and financial institutions, should address developing country needs for financial and technical assistance, technology transfer, training and scientific cooperation, in order to build capacity to implement cost-effective and sustainable fishery data collection, data processing, analysis and reporting, and exchange information. Capacity building is necessary to fulfil national needs, the needs of regional fishery bodies and arrangements, existing obligations for reporting fisheries data to FAO, and so that developing countries can more fully participate in, and benefit from, the Strategy.

Data collection systems in small-scale fisheries and multispecies fisheries

24. States, relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and financial institutions should recognize that many small-scale fisheries and multi-species fisheries, particularly in developing countries, are not well monitored and awareness needs to be raised on the importance of monitoring these fisheries. They are probably underestimated and therefore underrepresented in current fisheries status and trends information, and consequently they are not adequately considered in the development of plans and policies for fisheries.

25. States should, with support from development partner agencies and assistance from FAO, where necessary, enhance their capacities to collect data to ensure that the coverage of fisheries information is as complete as possible and covers all sectors, in particular the data necessary to evaluate small-scale and multi-species fisheries.

26. States should participate in and support the development of cost-effective methods for acquiring and validating data on small-scale and multispecies fisheries, including rapid appraisal methodologies and other approaches for data-poor situations and participatory processes that closely associate the fishers and their organizations to the data collection schemes. Regular surveys at appropriate frequencies rather than continuous monitoring may be more feasible, particularly for some inland and small-scale fisheries.

27. States should cooperate through their regional fishery organizations and regional programmes, if necessary with the cooperation of FAO, to develop and adopt effective and pragmatic standards and systems for data collection, which should be compatible with FAO systems.

28. FAO, with support from member States and development partner agencies, should address the special data collection and assessment needs for small-scale and multispecies fisheries, including the use of meetings of experts to develop innovative approaches and guidelines.

Expanding the scope of information on status and trends of fisheries, including the need to incorporate ecosystem considerations into fisheries management

29. States should approach the implementation of the Code of Conduct, in particular as this relates to Article 7 (Fisheries Management), especially Article 7.4.2 and Article 12 (Fisheries Research), by consideration of ways to expand the scope of status and trends reporting to meet the responsibilities recommended therein for research and the dissemination of information on the effects of climatic, environmental and socio-economic factors on fishery conservation and management.

30. States, directly or through participation in regional fisheries organizations, should consider broadening the collection of information on the status and trends of fisheries to support further development of fisheries management incorporating ecosystem considerations.

31. FAO, with support of Members, and with full participation of regional fishery organizations should further address the issue of indicators of sustainable development, as a follow-up to the Australia-FAO Technical Consultation on Sustainability Indicators in Marine Capture Fisheries (Sydney, Australia, January 1999).

Global inventory of fish stocks and fisheries

32. States should participate in, or support coordinated efforts for the compilation of a global inventory of fisheries and fish stocks (biological management units) or stock-complexes as a basis to improve the completeness of available information on the status and trends of fisheries and for inclusion in FIGIS.

33. As a first step towards development of the inventory, States should collaborate with FAO to develop the definitions, form, content, methods and implementation (including the definition and allocation of responsibilities and the estimation of costs) of a programme for the compilation of a global inventory of fisheries and fish stocks (or stock-complexes), noting the requirements for, and coordinating efforts with, the actions being undertaken through IPOAs.

34. FAO, with support of its Members, either directly or through regional fishery organizations, should consider establishing a process for scientific oversight of fishery status and trends information, including the global inventory of fish stocks and fisheries, the global reviews of fishery status and trends prepared for the biennial State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) and the ongoing FAO submissions to the Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS).

FIGIS participation, structuring and capacity-building

35. States should support, both directly or through participation in regional fisheries organizations, development of Fisheries Global Information System (FIGIS), by:

• Providing national user requirements for outputs from and inputs to the system;

• Participating in national, regional and international processes to define the protocols for information exchange, quality assurance or quality rating, and transparency provisions to be specified in partnership agreements;

• Contributing timely information to FIGIS;

• Facilitating a systematic synthesis of information on fishery status and trends from national to regional and global levels; and

• Participating in complementary information and communication technology initiatives aimed at improving the generation and dissemination of research-based knowledge relevant to sustainable development.

36. States should, either directly or through their participation in regional fisheries organizations, provide FIGIS with the best scientific information available. The assurance of information quality could be established by review processes at the national or regional level.

37. States should support FAO and other FIGIS partners, as appropriate, in the organization of and participation in pilot projects and workshops, to further develop and implement FIGIS, to develop training materials, and to conduct training.

38. FAO should continue to develop FIGIS, using modern information and communication technology, as a partnership between FAO, regional fisheries organizations, and national organizations, and other organizations that can make a positive contribution to the System.

Development of criteria and methods for ensuring information quality and security

39. States should participate in the development of criteria and methods to ensure information quality and security for the purposes of best scientific evidence, in accordance with internationally agreed standards and practices, through mechanisms for data verification, and in a manner consistent with applicable confidentiality requirements. States should apply the agreed criteria and methods.

40. FAO, with support of, and participation by, Members should facilitate the development of practical guidelines for quality assurance, transparency and security of fishery information.

Development of arrangements for the provision and exchange of information

41. States, directly or through their participation in regional fisheries organizations, should seek and agree on arrangements to facilitate the provision and exchange of information on the status and trends of fisheries with FAO, as appropriate. These arrangements should address the roles and entitlements of the partners, including in relation to information quality, transparency and confidentiality.

The role of working groups in assessing the status and trends of fisheries

42. Working groups composed of fishery experts and set up by countries or regional fishery organizations that meet to assess the status and trends of fish stocks and fisheries and which conduct their work according to terms of reference which specify the scope of their activities, are an important mechanism for enhancing the quality and transparency of scientific information. They can also provide important opportunities for capacity building.

43. States, directly or through participation in regional fisheries organizations in their respective jurisdictions and regional programmes, should formalize arrangements for working groups to analyse fisheries data and fish stocks information towards the evaluation of their status and trends. The periodicity of these working group meetings would depend on available human and financial resources and the nature of the fisheries and the fish stocks concerned.

44. States and development partner agencies should work with FAO to ensure the participation of fishery experts from around the world in working groups, particularly where these working groups contribute to capacity building in developing countries. The TCDC and other FAO programmes could be used for this purpose.

Sustaining data collection, information on the status and trend of fisheries

45. States should monitor their systems for data collection, analysis and reporting. States should ensure the sustainability of these systems to meet the needs of fishery policy making and management and the agreed requirements of regional fishery organizations and FAO and take corrective actions as appropriate.

PART 6: PROMOTION AND IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS

General call for improving information on the status and trends of fisheries

46. States, regional fishery bodies and international institutions should develop and implement mechanisms for the improvement of fisheries information, the application of research to enhance the availability of best scientific evidence, and the adoption of a continuing process for the enrichment of fishery status and trends information to support conservation, management and sustainable use of fishery resources at local, regional and global levels.

The role of States

47. States should evaluate the actions they need to take to improve information on the status and trends of fisheries, address these needs on a priority basis, and report on the improvements they make, as part of their biennial report to FAO on the Code of Conduct.

The role of regional fishery organizations

48. Regional fishery bodies, within the limits defined by their conventions and to the extent mandated by their members, should participate in the implementation of this Strategy, by providing support to their members, participating in global programmes and decisions on the development and adoption of standards and guidelines for information on the status and trends fisheries, becoming a partner in FIGIS.

The role of FAO

49. FAO will, as and to the extent directed by its Conference, and as part of its Regular and Field Programme activities, support States and regional fishery bodies in the implementation of this Strategy.

50. FAO will, as and to the extent directed by its Conference, support member States’ implementation of this Strategy, through in-country technical assistance projects using Regular Programme funds and by use of extra-budgetary funds made available to the Organization for this purpose. For better conservation and management of fishery resources, FAO should prepare a specific programme for establishing effective and sustainable systems for data collection, processing and analysis in developing countries, including in particular the least-developed among them.

51. FAO will, through COFI, report biennially on the state of progress in the implementation of the Strategy.

Role of development partner agencies and non-governmental organizations

52. International and national development partner agencies, should give priority to the provision of financial and technical assistance to developing countries, in particular the least-developed among them and small island developing states, and countries whose data collection systems are in a critical condition, for capacity building and information system development, as necessary for implementation of this Strategy.

53. Non-governmental organizations (national, regional and international) concerned with fisheries, fisher-folk and the aquatic environment and research into these, should encourage implementation of the Strategy through appropriate support, information methods development and capacity building and participation.

Back Cover

The Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries (Rome, Italy, 25-28 March 2002) considered the issue in terms of general perspectives, the required actions and mechanisms for promotion and implementation, the nature of the instrument to be used and consideration of a proposal for a strategy. The consultation expressed the view that the issue of improving information on the status and trends of capture fisheries should have a high priority with regard to implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. It agreed that a strategy is an appropriate instrument to address the issue because it is a document that sets forth objectives, policies, programmes, actions and decisions that define who will do what and why. It felt that a strategy could be used as a foundation for various policy instruments, and that it clearly establishes an ongoing commitment at national, regional and global levels. The consultation approved a draft strategy for improving information on status and trends of capture fisheries and requested that this report and the draft strategy be presented to the twenty-fifth session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI). It also recognized that it would be necessary for FAO and FAO Members to elaborate programmes to implement the strategy and suggested that COFI identify approaches to ensure the effective implementation of this strategy.