December 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 13.
Commercial Fishing News
MISCELLANEOUS C OMMERCIAL F ISHING N EWS
Continued from Page 11.
countries accountable for compliance infrac- prohibit retention of bigeye thresher sharks reduce sea-turtle bycatch in the swordfish
tions through formal identifications. These which are considered highly vulnerable by fishery. Results will be presented at the 2010
STATEMENT identifications can be the basis for future scientists. ICCAT meeting.
“As a member of ICCAT, the United sanctions and are intended to, among other ICCAT lowered the quota for North At- ICCAT adopted a new process for pro-
States entered this meeting seeking the things, help reduce illegal fishing and im- lantic swordfish to 13,700 metric tons to com- viding scientific advice that will give manag-
strongest possible agreement for the conser- prove submission of fishing data, which is ply with scientific advice and extended the ers clear information on the levels of risk and
vation of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterra- crucial for scientific projections. In addition, allocation arrangement that was previously the timeframes involved in meeting fisheries
nean bluefin tuna,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, ICCAT adopted a U.S-sponsored framework in place. As part of this measure, the United management goals. This is a key step towards
under secretary of commerce for oceans and for presentation of future scientific advice States and Canada committed to develop a better incorporating precautionary and sci-
atmosphere and NOAA administrator. that will facilitate the use of a precautionary joint scientific program to examine ways to ence-based management approaches.
The ICCAT agreement on eastern Atlan- management approach.
tic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna is a mark- Background
ed improvement over the current rules, but it This year, as in years past, U.S. negotia-
is insufficient to guarantee the long-term tors sought a suite of management measures
viability of either the fish or the fishery. While that would end overfishing and help rebuild
we are disappointed that the total allowable stocks of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Over the past
catch is not lower, we strongly support the decade, countries that fished in the eastern
commitment to set future catch levels in line Atlantic and Mediterranean did so at two to
with scientific advice, shorten the fishing three times the sustainable level, causing a
season, reduce capacity, and close the fish- significant and rapid decline in the stock.
ery if the stocks continue to decline. We At its annual meeting, which ended late
remain committed to pursuing every legiti- Sunday November 15, ICCAT adopted the
mate avenue to recover Atlantic bluefin tuna following agreements:
and ensure their long-term survival. ICCAT has agreed to a total allowable
Dr. Rebecca Lent, director of the Office catch limit of 13,500 metric tons for eastern
of International Affairs at NOAA’s Fisheries Atlantic Mediterranean bluefin tuna, down
Service and the head of the U.S. delegation at from the 2009 limit of 22,000 metric tons.
ICCAT said, “Negotiations were extremely Importantly, this measure also commits to a
challenging this year at ICCAT. The United science-based catch level for 2011 to 2013
States sought a package of measures for with a 60 percent probability of rebuilding the
eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin stock to healthy levels by 2023, lengthens the
tuna that would halt overfishing and provide existing purse seine fishing closure for 30
for rebuilding by 2023 with a high probability days during the critical spawning period,
of success. The science indicates that a total freezes all joint fishing operations to enhance
quota level of 8,000 metric tons or lower compliance, and commits to reducing fishing
would have achieved that. While I am pleased capacity.
with the commitments for significantly lower ICCAT adopted a science-based re-
quotas next year, I am disappointed that building program for northern albacore tuna
parties did not take immediate measures to intended to rebuild the stock within 10 years
significantly reduce the quota for the 2010.” and strong conservation and management
Importantly though, under U.S. leader- measures for Bigeye tuna that reduces har-
ship in the Compliance Committee, ICCAT vest levels in line with scientific advice.
made unprecedented progress and held ICCAT adopted a binding measure to
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