Originally introduced by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for the management of bluefin tuna, the catch documentation system has spread to other species and to other Regional Fishery Bodies for tuna and tuna-like species and to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) for the management of toothfish (Dissostichus spp.). An Expert Consultation of Regional Fisheries Management Bodies on Harmonization of Catch Certification was held from 9 to 11 January 2002 in La Jolla, United States of America. This publication contains the Report of the Expert Consultation as agreed by the meeting and the recommendations. Also included in the publication is the result of subsequent work undertaken by FAO in response to the recommendations of the Expert Consultation. Inter alia, these were to develop standard forms based on the forms already in use, and to encourage their use by current and future schemes. Further updated information on Catch Certification and Trade Documentation is given in FAO Fisheries Circular No. 986: Recent developments in catch certification and trade documentation in Regional Fisheries Management Bodies.
