43. Noting that the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries calls for sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems and requires that fishing be conducted with due regard for the environment, and noting the findings of the Expert Consultation on the critical status of some sea turtle populations and priorities for reducing the mortality in fishing operations, the Consultation agreed that the following recommendations be submitted to COFI for:
FAO to:
(a) Develop Technical Guidelines for the reduction of sea turtle mortalities in fishing operations, based on the "Guidelines to Reduce Sea Turtle Mortality in Fishing Operations" (Appendix E) drafted and agreed by the Consultation.
(b) Provide technical and other assistance for implementation of measures to reduce sea turtle mortality in fishing operations, especially for developing countries.
(c) Conduct workshops to: (i) promote the consistent understanding of the overall picture of global and regional sea turtle conservation and management efforts, regional fisheries, fishing gears and mitigation options; (ii) review progress on implementing mitigation measures to reduce turtle mortality.
(d) Strengthen linkages between national and international environmental and fisheries management agencies in the conservation and management of sea turtle populations.
(e) Report on (i) global sea turtle stock status and trends and (ii) review progress on implementation of mitigation strategies biennially to COFI and include updated information on its web site.
(f) Compile technical handling and release guidelines and manuals and distribute widely to Member States.
(g) Coordinate research to include:
· standards for conducting research, including description of gear and appropriate experimental designs;
· better sea turtle stock identification and assessment of interactions with fisheries;
· use of observer programmes and coastal communities for collecting information;
· international research programmes using tagging and genetic studies;
· testing of mitigation techniques in different regions.
(h) Establish and maintain a website serving as a clearing house for information on (f) and (g) above.
(i) Facilitate the harmonization of national legislation relevant to sea turtle conservation and management.
(j) Initiate the necessary action to attract the Extrabudgetary Funding (EBF) that might be required to implement the recommendations mentioned above.
RFBs to:
(a) Pay urgent attention to the issue of interactions between fisheries and sea turtles, especially in regard to the collection of statistics on bycatch and fisheries interactions and the adoption of mitigation measures.
(b) Develop networks with a view to sharing information on mitigation measures adopted and experiences undertaken at national, regional and global levels.
FAO Member Countries to:
(a) Pay urgent attention to the sea turtle stocks and areas identified of greatest threat as specified in TC:STCF/2004/3 and paragraph 11 of this Report.
(b) Give consideration to the implemention of the elements outlined in the "Guidelines to Reduce Sea Turtle Mortality in Fishing Operations" as agreed in the Technical Consultation (Appendix E).
(c) Cooperate to broaden the mandates of RFBs to reduce the impacts of fishing on sea turtle populations.
(d) Collect and make available, data and information on trends in sea turtle-fishery interactions, including trends in fishery-related mortalities.
(e) Support the initiatives with respect to sea turtle conservation and fisheries interactions that FAO will develop and, in particular those member countries in a position to do so, mobilize the necessary funding for their implementation.
All to:
(a) Collaborate in considering the adoption and implementation of the guidelines, with special consideration to: (i) fishing operations; (ii) research, monitoring and sharing of information; (iii) ensuring policy consistency; (iv) education and training; (v) capacity building, and (vi) socio-economic and cultural considerations, as outlined in the "Guidelines to Reduce Sea Turtle Mortality in Fishing Operations" (Appendix E).
(b) Harmonize sea turtle conservation and management initiatives within regions.
(c) Promotion, as appropriate, of partication in regional sea turtle conservation and management arrangements with a view to cooperate on sea turtle conservation and management.
