| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2013) 185 final (8.4.13) |
| Publication Date | 08/04/2013 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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The Union has been a Contracting Party to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (the ICCAT Convention) since 14 November 1997, following the adoption of Council Decision 86/238/EEC. The ICCAT Convention provides a framework for regional cooperation in the conservation and management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas through the establishment of an International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and the adoption by the latter of conservation and management measures which become binding on the contracting parties. In 1998, ICCAT adopted resolution 98-18 concerning the unreported and unregulated catches of tuna by large-scale longline vessels in the Convention area. That resolution established procedures for the identification of countries whose vessels had fished for tuna and tuna-like species in a manner which diminished the effectiveness of ICCAT conservation and management measures. It also specified measures to be taken, including if necessary non-discriminatory trade restrictive measures, in order to prevent those countries’ vessels from continuing such fishing practices. Following the adoption of resolution 98-18, ICCAT has identified Bolivia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia and Sierra Leone as countries whose vessels fish Atlantic bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in a manner which diminishes the effectiveness of its conservation and management measures, substantiating its findings with data concerning catches, trade and the activities of vessels. As a consequence, ICCAT recommended that Contracting Parties take appropriate measures, consistent with provisions of the 1998 Resolution, to the effect that the import of Atlantic bigeye tuna and its products in any form from the above mentioned countries be prohibited. As a consequence, imports of Atlantic bigeye tuna originating in Bolivia, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia and Sierra Leone into the European Union have been prohibited by Regulation (EC) No 827/2004. At its 14th Special Meeting in 2004, ICCAT acknowledged the efforts made by Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone to address its concerns and adopted recommendations for the lifting of trade-restrictive measures against those three countries. As a consequence, Regulation (EC) No 827/2004 has been amended by Regulation (EC) No 919/2005, so that it continues prohibiting such imports only from Bolivia and Georgia, whereas imports from Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone are authorized again. Furthermore, at its 22nd regular annual meeting, ICCAT acknowledged the efforts made and actions taken by Bolivia and Georgia and adopted recommendation 11-19 lifting the import prohibitions on Atlantic bigeye tuna and its products which had been imposed imposed on those two countries. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2013:185:FIN |
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| Subject Categories | Trade |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
