International Fisheries Management Flashcards
ICCAT stand for?
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
RFMOs
regional fisheries management organisations
How many RFMOs are there?
5 - ICCAT is one of them.
When was ICCAT established?
1969
How many member nations is within ICCAT?
52 (included EU)
ICCAT Convention Area
Ocean and adjacent seas
Convention Resources
Tunas and tuna-like species
ICCAT’s function
- Collection and analysis of statistical information
- Joint planning of research, evaluation of results
- Joint formulation of management recommendations
SCRS stand for
Standing Committee for Research and Statistics
How does SCARs assist ICCAT?
fisheries science
It comprised of scientists from member parties
Conduct assessments
Provide recommendations to management (which may or may not follow such recommendations)
U.S. Representation at ICCAT
3 US Commissioners
Federal, Commercial, and Recreational
Presidential appointments, 3-year terms
Who is responsible for implementing ICCAT managment measures?
The National Marine Fishereis Service (NMFS)
What are challenges in international fisheries management?
Science-based management: short term economic and/or political considerations can trump conservation objectives
Compliance: up to member countries to collect/submit data, and implement management measures; no international enforcement
IUU fishing: fishing by nations not party to RFMO, flags and ports of convenience, transshipment to avoid regulations
Allocation: historical fisheries vs. developing nations, how to reward compliance / penalize noncompliance
Science-based management?
Conservation and management measures have not always followed the scientific advice
The scientific advice is often intensely debated during management negotiations (by non-scientists!), using up limited meeting time
Short-term economic considerations often end up outweighing more conservative management approaches
The precautionary approach has been applied to the industry, not the resource
What are Harvest Strategies?
Actions that automatically take place if stock fall below the biological reference point.
Why manage fisheries?
Open access fisheries often overexploited and generally unprofitable (tragedy of the commons)
Management often seeks to optimize human-derived benefits via conservation measures