The Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP), a legally-binding multilateral agreement which entered into force in February 1999, established this program, the successor to the 1992 Agreement on the Conservation of Dolphins (the "La Jolla Agreement"). The IATTC provides the Secretariat for the program, which covers the Eastern Pacific Ocean (see map).

Objectives:

1. To progressively reduce incidental dolphin mortalities in the tuna purse-seine fishery in the Agreement Area to levels approaching zero, through the setting of annual limits;

2. With the goal of eliminating dolphin mortality in this fishery, to seek ecologically sound means of capturing large yellowfin tunas not in association with dolphins; and

3. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the tuna stocks in the Agreement Area, as well as that of the marine resources related to this fishery, taking into consideration the interrelationship among species in the ecosystem, with special emphasis on, inter alia, avoiding, reducing and minimizing bycatch and discards of juvenile tunas and non-target species.

States and Regional Economic Integration Organizations bound by the AIDCP:

1. States and Regional Economic Integration Organizations which have ratified or acceded to the Agreement: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, United States, Venezuela.

2. States which are applying the Agreement provisionally: Bolivia, Vanuatu.
 
(1) Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession
(2) On 15 October 2001, Bolivia notified the depositary of Bolivia's intention to apply the Agreement provisionally
(3) On 1 August 1999, Vanuatu notified the depositary of Vanuatu's intention to apply the Agreement provisionally