This is the final report approved by the Second Meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements held in Rome on 20 and 21 February 2001.
FAO.
Report of the Second Meeting of FAO and non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements. Rome, 20-21 February 2001.
FAO Fisheries Report. No. 645. Rome, FAO. 2001. 26p.
ABSTRACT
The Second Meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements was held at FAO Headquarters, Rome, on 20 and 21 February 2001. The Meeting discussed some external factors that might impact on the work of regional fishery bodies (RFBs) and fisheries management, indicators to assess the performance of RFBs and cooperation in global trends and status reporting in fisheries. It also reviewed a number of emerging issues in fisheries, in particular, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, developments in CITES criteria for listing commercially-exploited aquatic species and opportunities and challenges for coordinated activities on ecosystem-based management of fisheries.
The Meeting reached a number of conclusions regarding matters meriting the attention of RFBs governments and FAO. It acknowledged in principle the need to develop performance indicators and related guidelines, suggested that thought be given to the issue within their respective RFBs and that the results of this study be further discussed at subsequent meetings of RFBs.
The Meeting saw merit in the concept of an international plan of action (IPOA) on status and trends reporting and suggested that the draft of the IPOA-STATUS&TRENDS be carefully considered. It expressed support for the draft IPOA on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and noted that the IPOA ultimately would contribute to reduce and eventually eliminate the incidence of IUU fishing. The Meeting expressed the need for both effective criteria and process in making decisions, on listing and delisting in CITES and emphasized the need for inclusion of appropriate scientific evaluation in the process. The Meeting agreed that there was a need for closer collaboration between RFBs and Regional Seas Convention bodies (RSCs). It also agreed that the issues on external factors impacting on the management of fisheries and indicators to assess the performance of RFBs together with other thematic issues to be identified should be reviewed at its third meeting. The Meeting agreed to change the title of the Meeting of FAO and Non-FAO Regional Fishery Bodies or Arrangements to "Meeting of Regional Fishery Bodies".
Distribution:
Members of the Committee
Other interested nations and international
organizations
FAO Fisheries Department
FAO Regional Fishery Officers
