International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas was established on 21 March 1969. The objective of the Commission is to maintain the population of tuna and tuna-like fish in the Atlantic Ocean at levels that will permit maximum sustainable yields, as well as the implementation of research programmes, the analysis of fishing statistics and the formulation of stock conservation recommendations.

As of 30 March 2006, there are 42 Contracting Parties of which 15 are from Africa.

South Africa is a founding member of ICCAT, and has maintained full membership since then. South Africa's commercial and recreational fishery for tuna and swordfish depend on highly migratory stocks, which are fished in international waters. Through membership of ICCAT South Africa has access to research and management information.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism: Chief Directorate Marine & Coastal Management

RELEVANT TREATIES/PROTOCOLS

Paris Protocol
Madrid Protocol
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
Compliance Agreement

GENERAL COMMENTS

Membership of ICCAT is of importance as the priority themes have a direct impact on South Africa. As a developing southern Atlantic coastal state participating in the tuna fishery, South Africa must exercise its right to these resources and defend this right against northern hemisphere highly industrialised countries and distant water fleets, currently involved in over fishing in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Obtaining a fair share of the allocation of species in the southern Atlantic Ocean, especially swordfish, southern albacore and bigeye tuna.

Non compliance with ICCAT conservation and management recommendations and resolutions could lead to punitive trade measures being implemented against South Africa, thus attendance is imperative in order to take part in the development of ICCAT recommendations and resolutions.

South Africa has a pivotal role to play in the development of allocation criteria to ensure fair and equitable allocations of country quotas to developing coastal states.