International Plan Of Action For Reducing Incidental Catch Of Seabirds In Longline Fisheries

This document contains the texts of three International Plans of Action (IPOA): the IPOA for reducing incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries; the IPOA for the conservation and management of sharks; and the IPOA for the management of fishing capacity. The IPOAs were developed as the COFI Members in 1997 found that it would be necessary to have some form of international agreement in order to manage the concerned issues in compliance with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The most suitable instrument for each of the three issues was found to be a voluntary International Plan of Action. The three texts were developed in the course of two intergovernmental meetings, open to all FAO Members, held in 1998. The IPOAs were adopted by the twenty-third session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries in February 1999 and endorsed by the FAO Council at the session it held in June 1999.

The FAO Technical Working Group (TWG) on reduction of incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries reviewed three background papers prepared for the meeting dealing with longline fishing technology and effort, the interaction of seabirds during fishing operations and how incidental catch of seabirds can be reduced by using various mitagation measures. It was decided that the content of these background papers should be compiled into one publication to be used as reference material for elaborating technical guidelines and the international plan of action.

These guidelines have been produced to support implementation of the International Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries (IPOA-Seabirds). They are addressed to decision-makers and policy-makers associated with conserving seabirds and with minimizing their interaction with fishing gears, but the Guidelines should also be of interest to fishing industries and other parties.

The purpose of this document is to present Canada's national plan for reducing the incidental catch of seabirds within Canadian longline fisheries.This document provides an assessment of bycatch levels of seabirds within Canada's longline fisheries, identifies priorities for the National Plan of Action (NPOA), highlights Canada's current legislative framework and international commitments, reviews Canada's integrated fisheries management framework, and presents a series of actions for better identifying bycatch levels and further enhancing efforts to reduce the incidental capture of seabirds.

Delegations from 54 members of the Organization and observers from 8 intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations met at FAO Headquarters to prepare for the Consultation on the Management of Fishing Capacity, Shark Fisheries and Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries. The meeting discussed draft plans of action for the conservation and management of sharks and for the reduction of the incidental catch of seabirds in longline fisheries, as well as elements for a draft plan of action for the management of fishing capacity. This report summarizes the debates that took place. It also contains the guidance provided by the meeting to the FAO Secretariat about how best to proceed with the development of the documents that will be presented to the consultation proper. This guidance includes inter alia recommendations to the effect that the plans of action must assign the responsibility for actions amongst states (including other fishing entities), regional fishery bodies and international organizations. The plans should include provision for implementation and monitoring, including the issue of how to promote compliance by non-members of regional fishery organizations as well as by flag-of-convenience vessels. It was requested that technical assistance needs of developing countries be specified. It was suggested that the cost for any activities to be carried out by FAO, as part of the implementation of any international plan of action, should not be covered by extra-budgetary sources alone.--Publisher's description.

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the different aspects of IUU fishing and the various measures embodied in international fisheries and related instruments, and those adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and individual States to combat IUU fishing.