The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) held its 102nd meeting in Panama City, Panama, on 2-6 September 2024, with the participation of twenty Members and five Cooperating Non-Members, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations as observers.
The 102nd meeting was preceded by meetings of the Commission's subsidiary bodies: the Committee on Administration and Finance, the Compliance Committee, the Permanent Working Group on Fleet Capacity, the ad hoc Working Group on Electronic Monitoring and the Compliance Committee.
Furthermore, with respect to compliance, the First Special Biennial Meeting to review and improve compliance with the measures, rules and procedures adopted by the IATTC was also realized, resulting in the drafting of a document containing the essential elements for the formulation of a plan for revision and enhancement of the process.
The Working Group on Electronic Monitoring, by consensus, recommended a set of minimum standards for electronic monitoring, which was subsequently adopted by the Commission. These minimum standards represent a very important step forward in the development of an electronic monitoring scheme in the Antigua Convention Area.
Prior to the IATTC meeting, the 48th Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) was held, as well as meetings of the Agreement’s subsidiary bodies, including the International Review Panel (IRP).
At the Meeting of the Parties, among other matters, reports were presented on two projects of great importance for dolphin conservation: the first stages of a study on the impact of dolphin cow-calf separation in the tuna purse-seine fishery and a survey of the abundance of different dolphin species populations. Given the current budgetary situation, it became clear that extra-budgetary resources would be required for the continuation of these projects.
Once again, the participants noted the progress in compliance made under the Agreement, which is reflected, among other things, by the constant decrease in the possible infractions observed and the maintenance of the incidental mortality of dolphins at a figure below the adopted limits and close to statistical zero, all of which was evidenced at the IRP meeting.
The 102nd Meeting of the Commission concluded successfully, with the adoption by consensus of eleven binding resolutions. These resolutions cover a wide range of issues. It is important to mention in particular the resolution on the conservation of tropical tunas, adopted for two years, which essentially extends for that period the measures that had been adopted in the previous resolution, but with the possibility to review them if the yellowfin tuna stocks show indications of decline.
The Commission also adopted two resolutions for the management and conservation of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks. Noting the improvement in the status of this stock and the achievement of the second rebuilding target years ahead of schedule, a reasonable increase in catch limits was agreed together with a scheme for monitoring the effective implementation of those limits.
A resolution on South Pacific albacore tuna was also adopted, placing, an emphasis on cooperation and collaboration= to be carried out with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), including in the development of management reference points for this stock.
Regarding FAD fishing, current measures were strengthened through the adoption of a resolution reinforcing the prohibition of the use of tender vessels to support the operations of purse seiners fishing on FADs and to service them.
In relation to sharks, measures were adopted to improve data on shark catches as well as measures for the safe handling and release of sharks when they are not retained.
Several other existing topics were revisited and updated, such as the resolutions on harvest control rules, the IATTC Regional Vessel Register, and climate change. Regarding climate change, the Commission called for the development of a work plan, to be informed by a series of workshops prior to its presentation for consideration and eventual adoption.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission expressed its appreciation for the work of its Chair, Mr. Andrés Arens (Ecuador), and Mr. Julio Guevara (Nicaragua) as Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur, whom it ratified in those letters, for the period 2024-2025. Also, all the Chairs and Co-Chairs of the committees and working groups were re-elected for a second year, with the exception of the Chair of the Compliance Committee, due to the resignation of Mr. Luis Molledo of the European Union. The Commission took note of the election in his place of Mr. Antonio Vasquez of El Salvador. Finally, the Commission appointed Mr. Josh Madeira (United States), as representative of the IATTC and as Co-Chair of the IATTC-WCPFC-NC Pacific Bluefin Tuna Management Working Group.
The Commission reiterated its gratitude to the Government of Panama for the hospitality and facilities provided for the meeting, which contributed to its success. Due to time constraints, the Commission was compelled to close its session without having been able to decide on the place and date of its next meeting, as well as to consider its agenda item on other matters, all of which was agreed to be done during the intersessional period, by correspondence.
The 102nd meeting was preceded by meetings of the Commission's subsidiary bodies: the Committee on Administration and Finance, the Compliance Committee, the Permanent Working Group on Fleet Capacity, the ad hoc Working Group on Electronic Monitoring and the Compliance Committee.
Furthermore, with respect to compliance, the First Special Biennial Meeting to review and improve compliance with the measures, rules and procedures adopted by the IATTC was also realized, resulting in the drafting of a document containing the essential elements for the formulation of a plan for revision and enhancement of the process.
The Working Group on Electronic Monitoring, by consensus, recommended a set of minimum standards for electronic monitoring, which was subsequently adopted by the Commission. These minimum standards represent a very important step forward in the development of an electronic monitoring scheme in the Antigua Convention Area.
Prior to the IATTC meeting, the 48th Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP) was held, as well as meetings of the Agreement’s subsidiary bodies, including the International Review Panel (IRP).
At the Meeting of the Parties, among other matters, reports were presented on two projects of great importance for dolphin conservation: the first stages of a study on the impact of dolphin cow-calf separation in the tuna purse-seine fishery and a survey of the abundance of different dolphin species populations. Given the current budgetary situation, it became clear that extra-budgetary resources would be required for the continuation of these projects.
Once again, the participants noted the progress in compliance made under the Agreement, which is reflected, among other things, by the constant decrease in the possible infractions observed and the maintenance of the incidental mortality of dolphins at a figure below the adopted limits and close to statistical zero, all of which was evidenced at the IRP meeting.
The 102nd Meeting of the Commission concluded successfully, with the adoption by consensus of eleven binding resolutions. These resolutions cover a wide range of issues. It is important to mention in particular the resolution on the conservation of tropical tunas, adopted for two years, which essentially extends for that period the measures that had been adopted in the previous resolution, but with the possibility to review them if the yellowfin tuna stocks show indications of decline.
The Commission also adopted two resolutions for the management and conservation of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks. Noting the improvement in the status of this stock and the achievement of the second rebuilding target years ahead of schedule, a reasonable increase in catch limits was agreed together with a scheme for monitoring the effective implementation of those limits.
A resolution on South Pacific albacore tuna was also adopted, placing, an emphasis on cooperation and collaboration= to be carried out with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), including in the development of management reference points for this stock.
Regarding FAD fishing, current measures were strengthened through the adoption of a resolution reinforcing the prohibition of the use of tender vessels to support the operations of purse seiners fishing on FADs and to service them.
In relation to sharks, measures were adopted to improve data on shark catches as well as measures for the safe handling and release of sharks when they are not retained.
Several other existing topics were revisited and updated, such as the resolutions on harvest control rules, the IATTC Regional Vessel Register, and climate change. Regarding climate change, the Commission called for the development of a work plan, to be informed by a series of workshops prior to its presentation for consideration and eventual adoption.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission expressed its appreciation for the work of its Chair, Mr. Andrés Arens (Ecuador), and Mr. Julio Guevara (Nicaragua) as Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur, whom it ratified in those letters, for the period 2024-2025. Also, all the Chairs and Co-Chairs of the committees and working groups were re-elected for a second year, with the exception of the Chair of the Compliance Committee, due to the resignation of Mr. Luis Molledo of the European Union. The Commission took note of the election in his place of Mr. Antonio Vasquez of El Salvador. Finally, the Commission appointed Mr. Josh Madeira (United States), as representative of the IATTC and as Co-Chair of the IATTC-WCPFC-NC Pacific Bluefin Tuna Management Working Group.
The Commission reiterated its gratitude to the Government of Panama for the hospitality and facilities provided for the meeting, which contributed to its success. Due to time constraints, the Commission was compelled to close its session without having been able to decide on the place and date of its next meeting, as well as to consider its agenda item on other matters, all of which was agreed to be done during the intersessional period, by correspondence.