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International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

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The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for the management and conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. The organization was established in 1969, at a conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and operates in English, French and Spanish. However, the organisation has been strongly criticized by scientists for consistently supporting over-fishing, including an internal review, which branded ICCAT's policies on the eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery a “travesty of fisheries management”, and an “international disgrace” [1], and is often referred to as The International Conspiracy to Catch all Tuna[2].

Species under management

Tuna and tuna-like fishes are highly migratory, and stocks cross numerous international boundaries. ICCAT is involved in management of 30 species, including the Critically Endangered Atlantic bluefin (Thunnus thynnus thynnus), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus); from the billfishes, swordfish (Xiphias gladius), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), sailfish (Istiophorus albicans); mackerels such as spotted Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) and king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla); and, small tunas like skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis).

Work carried out by the ICCAT

Scientists participating in ICCAT carry out studies on biometry, fisheries ecology, and oceanography, focusing on the effects of fishing on tuna stock abundance. They also collect and analyse fisheries statistics which are relative to conditions the management of resources. ICCAT is also involved in work on data for other fish species that are caught during tuna fishing ("bycatch" - principally sharks) in the Atlantic and surrounding area, and which are not investigated by another international fishery organization.

Based on scientific and other information, each year the Commission decides on conservation and management measures aimed at maintaining target stocks at levels that permit the maximum sustainable catch for food and other purposes.

Criticism

ICCAT is widely criticised by environmental bodies for having short-term policies that favour fisherman over the long-term conservation of the species. It is often jokingly referred to as "the International Conspiracy to Catch all Tuna".[3][4][5] [6]

In November 2008, ICCAT ignored the advice of their scientists that quotas should not exceed 15,000 tonnes per year, which had been determined as the maximum sustainable yield, and set quotas at 22,000 tonnes.[7] An independent review of ICCAT, commissioned by the organisation themselves, concluded that their policies on the eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery a “travesty of fisheries management”, and an “international disgrace” [8]. Dr Sergi Tudela, head of WWF Mediterranean’s fisheries programme, said "Today’s outcome is a recipe for economic as well as biological bankruptcy with the European Union squarely to blame. ICCAT’s string of successive failures leaves us little option now but to seek effective remedies through trade measures and extending the boycott of retailers, restaurants, chefs and consumers" [9]

In November 2009, ICCAT's scientific advisors announced that a total ban on international trade in Atlantic tuna was justified based on the decline in their population to less than 15% of the original size [10]. However, later in the same month, ICCAT recommended catch quotas of 13,500 tonnes per year, prompting strong criticisms from environmental organisations, and calls for alternative methods to regulate Atlantic tuna fisheries, such as protection under CITES. Susan Lieberman, Director of International Policy for the Pew Environment Group said

Since its inception, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas has been driven by short-term commercial fishing interests, not the conservation ethic implied by its name....ICCAT’s actions and inactions highlight the need to take these issues to CITES—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The ICCAT fisheries managers have shown scant interest in the long-term preservation of the key resources they are supposed to manage. It is now time to turn to other bodies to seek the needed protections that ICCAT has failed to provide[11]

The US NOAA also released a statement with strongly worded criticism saying that though the new agreement "a marked improvement over the current rules, but it is insufficient to guarantee the long-term viability of either the fish or the fishery"[12] in conclution overfishing is a big problem

References

  1. ^ WWF (2009-29-10), Why are urgent, radical measures necessary to ensure the survival of Mediterranean and East Atlantic bluefin tuna? (PDF), retrieved 2009-15-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  2. ^ BBC news, Last rites for a marine marvel?
  3. ^ MSBN, Bluefin tuna losing battle for survival
  4. ^ BBC news, Last rites for a marine marvel?
  5. ^ Clover, Charles. 2004. The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat. Ebury Press, London. ISBN 0-09-189780-7
  6. ^ Renton, Alex (2008-05-11), "How the world's oceans are running out of fish", The Observer, retrieved 2008-05-11
  7. ^ Black, Richard (2009-29-10), EU condemned on tuna 'mockery', retrieved 2009-15-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  8. ^ WWF (2009-29-10), Why are urgent, radical measures necessary to ensure the survival of Mediterranean and East Atlantic bluefin tuna? (PDF), retrieved 2009-15-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  9. ^ WWF (2008-24-11), Tuna commission comes up with "a disgrace, not a decision", retrieved 2009-22-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  10. ^ Black, Richard (2009-29-10), Tuna ban "justified" by science, retrieved 2009-15-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  11. ^ Hance, Jeremy (2009-15-11), ICCAT fails to protect Atlantic Tuna - again, retrieved 2009-15-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  12. ^ NOAA (2009-16-11), NOAA Issues Statement on ICCAT Annual Meeting, retrieved 2009-16-11 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
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