| Français |
| May 1997 | GFCM:CFM/97/5 |
| GENERAL FISHERIES COUNCIL FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN |
| COMMITTE ON FISHERIES MANAGEMENT |
| Rome, Italy 17-20 June 1997 |
| Tenth Session |
| PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS |
INTRODUCTION
1. Article 4 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries states that Members and non-Members of FAO, fishing entities and relevant sub-regional, regional and global organizations, whether governmental or non-governmental, and all persons concerned with the conservation, management and utilization of fisheries resources and trade in fish and fishery products should collaborate in the fulfilment and implementation of the objectives and principles contained in the Code.
2. In adopting the Code at its Twenty-eighth session in 1995, the FAO Conference called upon FAO "to monitor and report on the implementation of the Code and its effects on fisheries, including action taken under other instruments and resolutions by UN organizations, and in particular, the resolution adopted by the General Assembly to give effect to the Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks leading to 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". The FAO Conference further called on States, international organizations, whether governmental or non-governmental, and all those involved in fisheries "to collaborate in the fulfilment and implementation of the objectives and principles contained in the Code" (FAO Conference Resolution 4/95).
3. At its Twenty-second Session the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) agreed in paragraph 29 of the Session's Report:
"that a progress report on implementation of the Code should be presented every two years which would include information on FAO activities, proposed guidelines to implement the Code and on inter-regional programmes, as well as application at national level. Members would provide information on national implementation using a questionnaire to be designed by the Secretariat."
ACTION TAKEN BY FAO TO PROMOTE THE CODE
4. The Code was published in early 1996 by FAO in the official languages of the Organization and distributed widely. It was also made accessible, in electronic form on the FAO Fisheries Department Home Page on the INTERNET, thus facilitating further dissemination. In order to ensure that the Code be known by fishery users, processors and traders, FAO has also disseminated the Code through the FAO marketing services and its associated organizations. Additionally, the Fisheries Department has prepared a directory of fisheries organizations, including more than 3,800 mailing addresses, to which the Code has been distributed. It was also disseminated through well known fisheries magazines and newspaper.
5. With regard to further promoting implementation of the Code, a circular letter accompanying the Code was sent to Governments and organizations in 1996. Relevant provisions were emphasized including the importance of publicizing the Code and making the public aware that the Code, if properly applied, could enhance the vital role of fisheries in world food security, and economic and social development.
6. Resolution 4/95 of the FAO Conference, recalling Article 5 of the Code, urges that special requirements of developing countries be taken into account in implementing its provisions. It also requests that FAO elaborate an inter-regional assistance programme for external assistance. FAO has thus elaborated and submitted to donors a programme consisting of ten components addressing main areas of the Code. The Government of Norway has already agreed to support two of these areas, and there is active interest from other donors in supporting some of the remaining areas.
7. The Conference also requested FAO, in collaboration with Members and interested organizations, to elaborate, as appropriate, technical guidelines in support of the implementation of the Code. FAO has established the series "Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries". Five sets of guidelines have already been published, and further guidelines in the series will be elaborated in the near future.
8. With regard to the Compliance Agreement, which is an integral component of the Code, instruments of acceptance have been received from the following countries/entity: Argentina, Canada, Georgia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Norway, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, United States, and the European Community. A total of 25 instruments of acceptance are required for the Agreement to become legally operational. Council members are urged to accept the Agreement in view of the importance and relevance to the Mediterranean region.
9. All of FAO regional fisheries bodies and statutory bodies have been requested to schedule an item on the Code on their respective agendas. Where this has been done it has resulted in various initiatives, including the organization of technical consultations, workshops and seminars at various levels with a view to strengthening regional cooperation and facilitating exchange of experiences, materials and expertise which could facilitate implementation of the Code at national, regional and sub-regional levels.
ACTION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT THE CODE
10. The following action has been initiated by GFCM with respect to the promotion and implementation of the Code:
SUGGESTED ACTION BY THE COMMITTEE
11. Members of the Council are invited to report on national experiences in the promotion of the Code, to advise on other mechanisms and strategies that could be used to ensure its more effective implementation and to monitor its effects on fisheries, and to decide on the frequency of reporting to Council. In addition, Council members are urged to take appropriate steps, as a matter of priority, to accept the Compliance Agreement.
12. Members of the Council are informed that FAO would, as directed by the Twenty-second Session of COFI, provide questioners for reporting on implementation of the Code.