High Seas Task Force final report

In March 2006, ministers of the High Seas Task Force (which included Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) released their final report. The report highlighted a number of measures that regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and their members could use to expose and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing – and to improve enforcement. One of these measures entailed commissioning an independent panel to develop a ‘model RFMO' by pulling together best practices in international fisheries and oceans governance.

Recommended Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations is the resulting report of the independent panel. Released on August 10, 2007, the report outlines how a ‘model RFMO' should function by identifying a number of areas where RFMOs can make improvements so they can ensure long-term and sustainable use of the fish stocks.

Canada was proud to be the main financial supporter of this initiative. It complements ongoing work by Canada to encourage performance reviews of all RFMOs, reform of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, and the improved functioning of tuna RFMOs.

Report

• Recommended Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations
• Full Report (PDF version)
• Executive Summary
• HTML version
• PDF version
• Spanish ( HTML version | PDF version)
• Poster (HTML version)
• Poster (PDF version)

News Release

• New report outlines international action to prevent global fish stock destruction (August 10, 2007 – Chatham House, London, England)

Backgrounder

• Canada Key Contributor in Development of Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations
• Recommended Best Practices for Regional Fisheries Management Organizations - A Model RFMO

Past High Seas Task Force Reports, News Releases, and Backgrounders

• March 2006
• High Seas Task Force Final Report (PDF version) and Summary Proposals (PDF version)
• Hearn Says Time for Action: High Seas Task Force Final Report Launched (March 3, 2006)
• High Seas Task Force Ministers Announce Joint Initiatives to Tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PDF version) (March 3, 2006 –  Paris, France)
• Related Backgrounders:
• Strengthen the International Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Network (March 2006)
• Establish Global Information System on High Seas Fishing Vessels (March 2006)
• Promote Broader Participation in the UN Fish Stocks Agreement and the UN Food and Agriculture Compliance Agreement (March 2006)
• Promote Better High Seas Governance (March 2006)
• Adopt and Promote Guidelines on Flag State Performance (March 2006)
• Support Greater Use of Port and Trade Measures (March 2006)
• Fill Critical Gaps in Scientific Knowledge and Assessment (March 2006)
• Address the Needs of Developing Countries (March 2006)
• Promote Better Use of Technological Solutions (March 2006)
• March 2005
  • Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and International Fisheries Governance Key Topics at International Meetings (March 11, 2005 – Rome, Italy)
  • High Seas Task Force Ministerial Meeting – Six Priority Action Areas (March 2005)
• October 2004
  • Regan Joins Ministerial High Seas Task Force to Expose and Deter Illegal Fishing Activities (October 28, 2004 – Ottawa)
  • High Seas Task Force (October 2004)