International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas

Purpose

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas is the regional fisheries management organization responsible for the management of tuna, swordfish, and other large pelagic fish. This includes responsibility for allocating available quotas of these fish stocks among Commission members.

Convention Area Top of Page

The Commission encompasses all waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the adjacent seas, including the domestic waters (also known the exclusive economic zones) of all coastal states.

ANNUAL MEETINGTop of Page

The Commission meets annually to present and review the work of the Commission’s various committees and working groups and to determine management measures, including quota, for the various fish stocks it manages.

The 18th Special  Meeting of the Commission was held in Agadir, Morocco from November 12-19, 2012.  At the meeting, Canada’s priority was to ensure continued economic benefits for Canadian fish harvesters through the conservation and sustainable use of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and compliance with conservation and management measures.

Of particular significance for Canada, Commission Members agreed to a roll-over of the science-based total allowable catch for the Western Atlantic bluefin tuna stock (1,750 tonnes) for one year, which will maintain the economic opportunities for Canadian fishermen while allowing the important stock to continue to rebuild. Canada’s share will be approximately 498 tonnes. In line with scientific advice, a total allowable catch for the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock was set at 13,400 tonnes for 2013.

The Commission also agreed to establish a working group of fisheries managers and scientists to find ways to improve how they work together and to enhance the management and scientific advice framework for Western Atlantic bluefin tuna. This work is expected to guide the next stock assessment for Western Atlantic bluefin tuna scheduled for 2015.

Canada is pleased that Commission Members also committed to stronger measures for port inspections, further building on efforts to enhance enforcement activities and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The conservation of shark species was another important issue tackled by Commission members at this year’s meeting. Unfortunately, Members could not agree on new measures to effectively protect porbeagle sharks, despite constructive efforts by Canada and the European Union. Canada will continue to work with members of the Commission to advance practical solutions that effectively protect porbeagle sharks while allowing sustainable fisheries like Canada’s to continue.

Finally, Members agreed to take a targeted approach to modernizing the
Commission’s Convention, by focusing on key areas for improvements and prioritizing actions.

Species Managed Top of Page

The Commission covers about 30 species including tuna, swordfish, and other large pelagic species such as spearfish and mackerels. Pelagic species live near the surface or at medium depths, as opposed to near the sea floor.

Contracting Parties Top of Page

The Commission currently counts 48 members ranging from North, South and Central America to Europe and Africa, as well as distant-water fishing nations from Asia and the South Pacific. Canada has been a member since the organization was established in 1969. For a full list of contracting parties, visit the Commission’s website.

Achievements Top of Page

The Commission has made significant progress to ensure the sustainability of the fish stocks its manages. This includes:

• compiling relevant catch and scientific data with an advanced tagging system allowing data collection of tunas and tuna-like fish.
  
  
• combatting the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by:
  
  
  • leading other regional fisheries management organizations in using trade sanctions.
    
    
  • maintaining a list of vessels suspected of engaging in illegal, unreported and unregulated activities in the Convention Area.
    
    
  • improving compliance by some members and the capacity of some members to take responsibility for the actions of their fleets.
    
    
• committing to on-going performance review of conservation and management efforts and implementing recommendations from this process.
  
  
• strengthening conservation and management measures.
  
  
• Undertaking increased scientific study to better understand tunas, swordfish and other large pelagic fish and their ecosystems to ensure sustainable and healthy fish stocks.

Canada's Leadership Role Top of Page

As a founding member of the Commission, Canada plays a leadership role in the way highly migratory fish stocks are managed. Canada has held a number of key positions in the organization, including Chair of the Permanent Working Group and Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee.

 Some of Canada’s important contributions include:

• ensuring that management measures for species managed by the Commission are fully based on science, including the implementation of precautionary and ecosystem based approaches.
  
  
• contributing to key science research activities to increase understanding about the bluefin tuna and other species managed by the Commission.
  
  
• establishing capacity-building efforts to address the Commission’s rapid growth, particularly with the addition of many developing countries as members.

Important Links

• Facts on Fish: bluefin tuna
• The Role of Science in Canada’s Sustainable Bluefin Tuna Fishery
• The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas official website
• Canada Moves Forward on Protection of Key Species at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (November 21, 2011)
• Government of Canada Comments on Results of Latest Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (November 28, 2010)