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Closing the Net Newsletter, July 2006
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THE HIGH SEAS TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT.
Final Report - to download English version click here.
Report Synthesis and Summary of Proposals:
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"Trade and Market-Related Instruments to Reinforce Fisheries management Measures to Promote Sustainable Fishing Practices"
Prepared for Heike Baumuller (International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development) and Frank Meere - High Seas Task Force (OECD)
The report aims to identify measures and methods that can be applied to strengthen the linkages between trade policy, fisheries management, and sustainable development objectives. The trade and market-place measures examined include policies and practices that are used to monitor and track seafood products from the time the fish are caught through to when it is sold to final consumers, including related border controls that allow countries or territories to regulate, restrict or prohibit trade. The analysis in the report pays particular attention to trade and market place-related measures that shape the incentives faced by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) operators with the goal of minimizing the scope for their operations.
You may download the report by clicking here.
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"Official Agendas for the Final Meeting of the Ministerially-led Task Force"
You may download the agendas for the Meeting by clicking here.
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"Report on evaluating Flag State Performance"
Task Force members recognize that responsible flag state and port state behaviour is central to strong deterrence of IUU fishing. To help tackle the problem of flag states that fail to live up to their international obligations, Proposal 5 (out of a total of 9 proposals) developed by the Task Force, is to develop a preliminary set of guidelines on flag state performance.
The general aim of the guidelines, as conceived by the Task Force, was to establish an objective list of the responsibilities that those involved in the high seas fishing industry, including States, regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), fishers and consumers might reasonably expect of flag States in respect of their fishing vessels. This list was then to form the basis for criteria for evaluating the performance of individual flag States. The guidelines were to seek to elaborate a set of basic criteria by which the most fundamental elements of flag State performance could be assessed with two main purposes:
(1) to evaluate the performance of individual flag States against a range of basic indicators relevant to IUU fishing on the high seas; and
(2) to give publicity to those that fall short of desirable standards.
Part I, of the report contains introductory guidance and outlines the background and scope of the guidelines, and describes the criteria used in the analysis.
Part II presents the results of the analysis in table form for more than 150 coastal / flag States. Against each assessment criterion, possible negative performance by a coastal State is indicated by means of a black dot. This is not designed as a definitive evaluation of flag State performance, but rather an prototype to promote further discussion, evaluation and development.
Parts I and II are published together as a single document. To download click here.
Part III presents the detailed results of the research which contributed to the evaluation, along with the methodology used to conduct the research, and may be read in conjunction with either Part I or Part II. To download click here.
Also made available is working paper HSTF/11 "INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAFT CRITERIA FOR FLAG STATE ASSESSMENT", which was produced as background material for a mini-workshop of invited experts and representatives of HSTF members held in Paris from 28 – 30 September 2005. The paper outlines the legal, practical and other issues related to flag State duties (section 2); and proposes, and discusses, potential criteria for assessment (section 3). For download click here.
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"Lacey Act Paper"
An overview of the U.S. Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 and a Proposal for a model Port State Fisheries Enforcement Act.
Click here to download.
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"Port States Measures Final Report - Promoting Responsible Ports"
Active use of port State controls can be a valuable weapon in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) activities. However, to operate effectively, they must be applied in a wide and consistent manner in order to avoid the development of ports of convenience. To this end, the FAO has developed a non-binding international instrument describing basic and minimum port State measures, called the FAO Port State Model Scheme. The High Seas Task Force endorses this Model Scheme as a minimum standard for responsible port States and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). This report reviews the port State measures adopted by members of the High Seas Task Force and compares these to the Model Scheme. The report undertakes the same exercise for RFMOs, before presenting recommendations to strengthen both national port State measures and develop regional arrangements on port State controls.
To download the document (zip file) please click here.
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"Final Report Existing and Emerging Sensing Techniques for Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance"
A report by QinetiQ Ltd which provides an overview of sensor technologies and deployment options which may aid in the detection and location of IUU fishing vessels on the high seas.
To download the Executive Summary please click here. For a copy of the complete report please contact the Secretariat and we will forward it to you.
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"Fishing Vessel Monitoring Systems: Past, Present and Future"
Navigs s.a.r.l. (Robert Gallagher) Report.
A candid report on VMS systems - everything you need to know but maybe were afraid to ask!! Once you have read this report you will be more aware of the problems associated with VMS and more cautious of those who suggest that it is a panacea for fishing vessel monitoring and surveillance.
Of particular interest are chapters on the weaknesses of current arrangements, future developments and best practice use of VMS as well as a chapter on international cooperation and IUU fishing." }
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MRAG Reports: IUU Fishing on the High Seas: Impacts on Ecosystems and Future Science Needs.
Final Report - IUU Fishing on the High Seas: Impacts on Ecosystems and Future Science Needs. August 2005. _________________________________________________________________________
MRAG Reports: Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing Countries.
Synthesis Report - Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing Countries. June 2005.
Final Report - Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Developing Countries. June 2005.
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HSTF 03 to HSTF 10 - DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TASK FORCE
On 25 February 2005, the Secretariat issued documents HSTF 03&ndash09. These documents contain elaborate the core proposals for consideration by the HSTF at its first substantive meeting on 9 March 2005 in Paris. They were developed by the HSTF Secretariat following extensive consultations with expert advisory groups, HSTF members and officials in HSTF member countries. Following the meeting on 9 March, the Task Force prepared the Summary of Outcomes listed below as HSTF/10.
HSTF/03 Annotated agenda and summary of proposals
HSTF/04 Better high seas monitoring, control and surveillance: an improved MCS Network
HSTF/05 How to get better information on high seas fishing vessels
HSTF/06 Promoting responsible port States
HSTF/07 How well are flag States performing?
HSTF/08 Do we need to control nationals?
HSTF/09 High seas governance
HSTF/10 Summary of Outcomes
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HSTF 02 - PROPOSED AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE WORK OF THE HIGH SEAS TASK FORCE
On 23 September 2004, the Secretariat issued a document (HSTF 02) that builds upon the consolidated list of issues presented in document HSTF/01 (July 2004) by identifying the key areas in which HSTF members can exert pressure on IUU fishing activities. The purpose of the document is to detail specific proposals in each broad area to determine whether they would form a viable set of solutions. Comments on the document are welcomed.
Download the document here.
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HSTF 01 - CONSOLIDATED LIST OF LEGAL, SCIENCE, ECONOMICS AND TRADE, AND ENFORCEMENT ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE HIGH SEAS TASK FORCE
On 28 July 2004, the Secretariat issued a document (HSTF 01) containing a list of the subjects and issues that may be relevant for consideration by the Task Force. This list is not necessarily exhaustive and does not preclude later consideration of matters not included in the document. The objective at this stage is to ensure that we have correctly identified the key drivers which facilitate IUU activity so that we can then determine what actions can be recommended to modify how these drivers can be modified in order to minimize IUU operations. Comments on the document are welcomed.
Download the document here.
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HSTF BACKGROUND PAPERS
The High Seas Task Force Background Briefing is available for its consultation in english, french or spanish version.
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