ICCAT 2013 Meeting Highlights

There were contentious negotiations for major stocks managed by ICCAT, including western and eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna, North and South Atlantic swordfish, and North and South Atlantic albacore. The United States was also disappointed that the commission was unable to agree on several shark measures, including a U.S. proposal requiring that sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached.

At the 2013 meeting, ICCAT:

• Extended for 1 year the current total allowable catch level for western Atlantic bluefin to support continued stock growth. Research plans will be developed to improve the science behind managing this important stock. The current TAC in the eastern Atlantic was also extended, and TACs for both eastern and western stocks will be updated in 2014.

• Extended management measures for North and South Atlantic swordfish for 3 years to ensure the continued sustainability of these stocks while protecting the U.S. share of these fisheries.

• Voted to maintain current TACs for North and South Atlantic albacore.

• Again proposed (the United States along with Belize and Brazil) a requirement that all sharks caught in ICCAT fisheries be landed with their fins naturally attached. Although the proposal was not adopted, support for this approach is growing. The European Union, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Senegal, and the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories joined as co-sponsors, and Gabon also expressed support from the floor.

• Adopted a requirement for many vessels greater than 20 meters to obtain unique vessel identifiers. This new requirement will support ongoing efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and help level the playing field for U.S. fishermen.

• Thoroughly reviewed the records of the 47 ICCAT members, as well as five non-members, to determine their compliance with dozens of conservation measures and reporting requirements. Based on this review, some fishing rights will be suspended, and ICCAT will send letters of concern or identification that indicate areas where progress must be demonstrated. A U.S. representative was again elected to chair ICCAT’s Compliance Committee for the next 2 years.