COFI/2003/Inf.4

1. OPENING OF THE SESSION

The outgoing Chairperson will call the Session to order. He will inform delegates of the voting rights of the European Community and its Member States on each agenda item. After opening remarks by the outgoing Chairperson, the Deputy-Director General of FAO or his representative will inaugurate the Session.

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION

Procedural.

3. ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSONS AND DESIGNATION OF DRAFTING COMMITTEE

The Committee is required to elect the Office Bearers in accordance with Rule I (1) of its Rules of Procedure.

4. ACHIEVEMENTS OF MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.3 FISHERIES 2000-2002

The Committee, at its Twenty-fourth Session reviewed FAO's Programme in the fisheries sector, appraised progress in the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, reviewed the FAO's Medium Term Plan (2002-2007) and examined a number of emerging issues of world fisheries and made a number of recommendations regarding the priority areas of work of the Organization in the field of fisheries. Document COFI/2003/2 an extract of the Programme Implementation Report, 2000-2001 provides information on achievements in the past biennium.

Additional work undertaken by the Fisheries Department and, in particular, as follow-up to the recommendations of the Twenty-fourth Session of COFI is given in document COFI/2003/Inf.6 to facilitate the task of the Committee in making its recommendations.

5. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES AND RELATED INTERNATIONAL PLANS OF ACTION (CAPACITY, IUU FISHING, SEABIRDS AND SHARKS)

At its Twenty-second Session, in March 1997, the Committee on Fisheries agreed that a progress report on the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries be presented every two years. When the Committee, at its Twenty-third Session, adopted the IPOAs on Capacity, Seabirds and Sharks (and eventually IUU Fishing at the Twenty-fourth Session), it directed that future reporting on the Code should particularly provide for specific reporting on development of national plans and other actions called for in the IPOAs.

At this Session, the Committee will receive the third periodic report on the progress achieved in implementing the Code and its related IPOAs. The document COFI/2003/3 submitted to the Committee, is structured to highlight achievements on a regional basis supported by statistics. The document also highlights the main constraints and possible solutions to improve the implementation of the Code and its related IPOAs. The document also provides information on achievements by international organizations and regional fishery bodies. As directed by the Committee, at its Twenty-fourth Session, the document also summarizes the main outcomes of case studies on the implementation of the Code and the IPOAs in fifteen countries.

In the framework of promoting the Code and its related IPOAs, a number of expert consultations, in particular, on Catalyzing the Transition away from Overcapacity in Marine Capture Fisheries (COFI/2003/Inf.7) to Review Port State Measures to Combat IUU Fishing (COFI/2003/Inf.8) and the Management of Shared Fish Stocks (COFI/2003/Inf.9), were organized.

Two other documents "are made available" for the information of Members: (a) Summarized Extracts on the Status of Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (in the original language submitted); and (b) a compilation of the 17 case studies on the Implementation of the Code (in the languages submitted) plus a summary by the Secretariat in the FAO official languages.

The Committee is invited to discuss the experience at national, regional and international levels in the implementation of the Code, and to assess progress made in the implementation of the four IPOAs on the management of fishing capacity, shark fisheries, the incidental catch of sea-birds in longline fisheries and IUU fishing bearing in mind the timeframe for developing national and regional plans of action to implement IPOA-Capacity (2005), and IUU fishing (2004).

Within the context of discussion relating to IUU fishing, the Committee may wish to address the management of deep-sea species and, in particular, discrete high seas fisheries that are not currently subject to comprehensive fisheries management. The Committee is invited to note the initiative taken by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, will host an international conference on this subject matter in December 2003, in technical cooperation with FAO.

In reviewing progress in the implementation of the Code, the Committee is also invited to review and exchange experiences on strategies and mechanisms for "Making Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of fishing vessels more effective". The Committee may wish, among others, to provide guidance concerning a number of emerging issues to which the attention of governments could be drawn, to ensure that Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) initiatives are cost-effective and efficient, advise on the desirability of convening an FAO Technical Consultation on Port State Measures to Combat IUU Fishing, and the involvement or otherwise of FAO in the International Network for the Cooperation and Coordination of Fisheries Related Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS Network).

6. DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COFI SUB-COMMITTEE ON FISH TRADE, BREMEN, GERMANY, 12-16 FEBRUARY 2002

At its Sixteenth Session in 1985, the Committee on Fisheries decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Fish Trade to serve as a multilateral framework for consultations on international trade in fishery products. Over the years, the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade has become the rallying force for improvements of fish quality and fish trade, especially in the developing countries, as well as an important forum for debating on central issues relating to trade and environment.

The Sub-Committee, at its Eighth Session, took note of important recent events and issues concerning international trade, environment and sustainable fisheries development, as follows:

· Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and responsible fish trade;
· Declaration from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Doha Ministerial Conference, and its impact on fish trade;
· Safety and quality of fishery products;
· Traceability of fish products and labelling issues;
· CITES and fish trade;
· Progress achieved in its cooperation with the Common Fund for Commodities.

In addition, the Sub-Committee addressed, in particular, the recommendations made to it by COFI at its Twenty-fourth Session.

The Committee is invited to consider and, as appropriate, to endorse the report of the Sub-Committee on Fish Trade and provide guidance, particularly with regard to the issues mentioned in Paragraphs 12 through 21 of document COFI/2003/5 and in the annexes to the document.

7. DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE COFI SUB-COMMITTEE ON AQUACULTURE, BEIJING, CHINA, 18-22 APRIL 2002

The Committee on Fisheries, at its Twenty-fourth Session, decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Aquaculture to provide a forum for consultation and discussion on aquaculture and to advise COFI on technical and policy matters related to aquaculture, and on the work performed by FAO in the field of aquaculture. The first session of the Sub-Committee was held in Beijing, People's Republic of China, from 18 to 22 April 2002.

The Sub-Committee recognized the important role that aquaculture could play in improving livelihoods, generating income, and stimulating national and regional development and identified the following as key priority areas for future work:

a) Creating an enabling environment for the promotion of sustainable aquaculture development and management;
b) Establishing a framework for sustainable rural aquaculture development;
c) Education, information sharing and capacity-building; and
d) Data collection and reporting to improve knowledge and management of the sector.

The Sub-Committee also recognized the current inadequacy of Regular Programme funds to successfully carry out the activities recommended during the First Session. It requested that the FAO Fisheries Department reviews its Medium-Term Plan (MTP) for its compatibility with the recommendations made during the Session, and develop new programme entities with budget requests, as appropriate, to accommodate these un-funded needs, and submit to the next COFI Session. The Sub-Committee requested the FAO Fisheries Department to make a report on its efforts in this regard, and present this to the next Session of the Sub-Committee.

Document COFI/2003/6 summarizes the main outcomes of the First Session of the Sub-Committee and action taken by the Secretariat as requested by the Sub-Committee. The document further addresses and highlights areas for which guidance is sought from the Committee.

8. OUTCOME OF THE TECHNICAL CONSULTATION ON IMPROVING INFORMATION ON THE STATUS AND TRENDS OF CAPTURE FISHERIES

The Twenty-fourth Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) considered a proposal for improving reporting on the status and trends of fisheries. The Committee unanimously recognized that information on the status and trends of fisheries is fundamental to the mandate of FAO. The Committee also recognized shortcomings in reporting of information on status and trends of fisheries and, in particular, highlighted problems of data quality. It however emphasized the need for all States to have an opportunity to shape future initiatives to improve information on the status and trends of fisheries, and 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 International Plan of Action. The Committee agreed that the proposals elaborated by the Technical Consultation should be presented to the Committee at its Twenty-fifth Session.

The Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries was held at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 25 to 28 March 2002. It was attended by 60 members of FAO and by observers, and culminated with an agreement on a Draft Strategy for Improving Information on Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries. The Technical Consultation requested that, in conformity with the instructions of COFI, the Draft Strategy be presented to the Twenty-fifth Session of the Committee on Fisheries for consideration and, as appropriate, for adoption. The Consultation 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.

The Committee is invited to review the outcome of the Technical Consultation on Improving Information on the Status and Trends of Capture Fisheries, in particular its Draft Strategy, and, if approved, to recommend to the FAO Council, approval of the Strategy. The Committee may also wish to consider implementation of the Strategy through the elaboration of programmes (Annex 2 of document COFI/2003/7) by FAO and FAO Members as well as other interested organizations/parties, as suggested by the Technical Consultation.

9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXPERT CONSULTATION ON IDENTIFYING, ASSESSING AND REPORTING ON SUBSIDIES IN THE FISHING INDUSTRY

In 2001 COFI reviewed the report produced by the FAO Expert Consultation on Economic Incentives and Responsible Fisheries. At that time, COFI concluded that the Fisheries Department should continue its work on fisheries subsidies, aiming to assist in assessing the impacts created by subsidies to the fisheries sector.

During the past two years the Fisheries Department has undertaken a number of activities related to fisheries subsidies. Amongst these was the FAO Expert Consultation on Identifying, Assessing and Reporting on Subsidies in the Fisheries Sector, held in Rome, from 3 to 6 December 2002. The consultation spent considerable time reviewing a draft guide for identifying, assessing and reporting on subsidies in the fisheries sector. The report of that consultation is available to the 25th Session of the Committee. The Committee is invited to consider the conclusions and recommendations of the consultation as documents COFI/2003/8 and Inf. 12.

At its Twenty-fourth Session, COFI suggested that the Fisheries Department organize, not only an Expert Consultation, but also a Government Technical Consultation. COFI may want to consider if such a consultation should be held and , if so, what the subject of the consultation should be.

10. STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING THE SUSTAINABLE CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES TO FOOD SECURITY AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

The last decade has seen a significant reduction in the extent of support to the small-scale fisheries sector by development banks,and by bilateral and multinational donor agencies. This decline has in a large part been due to (i) the need to move away from production-oriented projects towards projects that aim at more sustainable development activities and fisheries management, and (ii) the difficulties that most development banks and donors encounter in funding such projects, inter alia because they require significant institutional support, much flexibility and a long-term commitment.

Small-scale marine and inland fisheries play a vital role in food security through the preservation and processing of fish for trade to inland markets. Inland fisheries may contribute more to national and local food security because of the subsistence nature of much of the fishing activity. Marine small-scale fisheries, in contrast, often play an important role in local and national poverty alleviation through profits being made from the sale of fish, the generation of export revenues, formal economic benefits, income and employment multipliers in upstream and downstream activities, and perhaps to a lesser extent from taxation that can be used for re-distributive purposes. Small-scale fisheries are providing increasing amounts of foreign exchange earnings in many countries, and the last decade has seen a significant increase in the amount of products exported from small-scale fisheries. Nonetheless, a significant high proportion of small-scale fishers are poor and unable to influence their operating constraints.

Document COFI/2003/9 outlines characteristics of small-scale capture fisheries, and considers the constraints and opportunities that may affect their contribution to food security and poverty reduction. It is suggested that there are now good reasons to re-consider the role of small-scale fisheries in contributing to food security and poverty alleviation.

The Committee is invited to review this paper and provide guidance to Member Nations, FAO and other agencies and international organizations, as to strategies that might be promoted to ensure significant improvement in small-scale fisheries development and management, with particular reference to the sector's contribution to food security and poverty alleviation.

11. IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES AND TO RESTORE FISHERIES RESOURCES AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTS

Recognition has been achieved at high level that a more holistic and integrated approach to fisheries management was needed, incorporating to the conventional stock-by-stock and multispecies approaches, fundamental considerations about the ecosystem, its contribution to human well-being, and its natural variability or degradation.

The Committee on Fisheries, at its Twenty-fourth Session in 2001, welcomed the opportunity to address the issue of ecosystem approaches to fisheries in the planned Reykjavik Conference on Responsible Fisheries. The Reykjavik Conference was held in October 2001 and culminated in the adoption of the Reykjavik Declaration on Responsible Fisheries in the Marine Ecosystem. Following the Reykjavik Conference, FAO has developed preliminary guidelines and will closely follow the implementation of the approach, revising them as needed.

Documents COFI/2003/10 and COFI/2003/Inf 13 and 14 outline the major activities undertaken by FAO in the field of ecosystem approaches to fisheries subsequent to the Twenty-fourth Session of COFI, and consider some of the implications for an ecosystem approach in fisheries of the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 26 August to 4 September 2002.

The Committee is invited to consider the progress being made within the FAO programme in facilitating the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management and to comment on it, as appropriate. In particular, the Committee might suggest ways and means to promote its implementation in the management of the fisheries of FAO members at the national and regional levels. Within discussions related to the ecosystem approach to fisheries management, the Committee may wish to also address prey-predator relationship, including ecological interactions between marine mammals and other fisheries resources as well as the management of deep-sea species.

12. REVIEW OF MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.3 FISHERIES

The Committee is invited to consider Major Programme 2.3 Fisheries. It is recalled that the Medium Term Plan is of a "rolling" nature, to be updated every two years to reflect evolving contexts. While the Medium Term Plan 2004-09 has already been considered by the FAO Council in October-November 2002, it is the expectation of the Council that the Committee on Fisheries review and make recommendations on fisheries programme priorities, which would be taken into account in the formulation of the PWB 2004-2005.

It is also recalled that, in accordance with the new programming model endorsed by the FAO Conference, each programme consists of a number of "entities". These entities are of three types: time-bound technical projects, continuing programme activities and technical services. Within each technical project and continuing programme activity, the rationale, objective(s) and indicators of achievements are provided, followed by the identified "major outputs" over the lifetime of the entity.

At its last session in 2001, the Committee carried out its forward-looking review of planned activities under Major Programme 2.3: Fisheries, on the basis of the pertinent section of the Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2002-07. At the present session, the applicable section of the Medium Term Plan 2004-09 is before the Committee for the same purpose. A companion document (COFI/2003/12) is also before the Committee, providing preliminary information on Programme of Work Proposals for 2004-05 regarding Major Programme 2.3: Fisheries.

Based on the contents of both documents, the Committee is invited to review and make recommendations on the fisheries programme priorities which would be taken into account in the finalisation of proposals for the Programme of Work and Budget 2004-05.

13. ANY OTHER MATTERS

14. DATE AND PLACE OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES

15. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT