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European Parliament
2019-2024
Committee on Fisheries
25.11.2022
MISSION REPORT
following the delegation of the Committee on Fisheries to the 23rd Special
Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas (ICCAT), Vale de Lobo, Portugal, 18-21 November 2022
Committee on Fisheries
Members of the mission:
Gabriel Mato (PPE)
Caroline Roose (Verts/ALE)
CR\1267920EN.docx PE739.549v01-00
EN United in diversity ENIntroduction
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) held its 23rd
Special Meeting from 14 to 21 November 2022 in Vale do Lobo, Portugal.
The meeting was attended by over 400 in-person delegates and 250 more online, from 47
Contracting parties, 5 Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties, 6 Intergovernmental
Organisations, 26 Non-Governmental Organisations and 2 Non-Contracting Parties.
The following Members of the PECH Committee participated in the meetings from 18-20
November as part of the official EU Delegation led by Mr. Anders Jessen, Head of Unit for
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations in DG MARE:
Gabriel Mato (EPP, ES)
Caroline Roose (Greens/EFA, FR)
This was the 11th delegation of Members of the European Parliament attending an ICCAT
Annual Meeting in-person since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force.
23rd Special Meeting of ICCAT
ICCAT convened to evaluate the results of the 2022 work plan together with the current status
of application of the regulatory measures in force and to establish the conservation and
management measures for the future.
In 2022, full scientific stock assessments were carried out for four species: eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), eastern and western skipjack (Katsuwonus
pelamis), Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and North-eastern Atlantic porbeagle shark
(Lamna nasus). In total, 13 new Recommendations and 4 Resolutions were adopted covering
relevant issues on Atlantic tuna and tuna-like species conservation and fisheries management.
Atlantic bluefin tuna
ICCAT has for the first time in its history adopted a management procedure for Atlantic bluefin
tuna. This novel measure, which is the result of the extensive collaboration among scientists,
managers and stakeholders, should ensure long-term, sustainable and profitable fisheries of
both the western stock and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stock. The TAC set for the period
2023-2025 was set as 2,726 and 40,570 metric tons for western and eastern Atlantic (and
Mediterranean) stocks, respectively.
South Atlantic shortfin mako
Following the 2021 adopted measure for North Atlantic shortfin mako shark caught in
association with ICCAT fisheries, this year ICCAT agreed a similar measure for South Atlantic
shortfin mako starting in 2023, to end overfishing immediately and to gradually achieve
biomass levels sufficient to support maximum sustainable yield (MSY) by 2070 with a
probability ranging between 60 and 70% at least. The total annual fishing mortality was set to
a maximum of 1,295 t until new scientific advice is provided to the Commission in 2024.
PE739.549v01-00 2/8 CR\1267920EN.docx
ENNorth and South Atlantic swordfish
New management measures were agreed for both North and South Atlantic swordfish stocks.
For the North Atlantic swordfish a rollover was agreed, and the TAC for 2023 was kept at the
2022 level (13,200 t), in accordance with SCRS advice. For the southern stock a TAC of 10,000t
was agreed for the period 2023-2026.
Albacore tuna
Regarding albacore tuna, ICCAT adopted a plan for Mediterranean albacore, which implements
a 15-year rebuilding plan until 2036 that establishes a TAC of 2,500 t. In addition, ICCAT
adopted catch limits for southern Atlantic albacore for the period 2023 to 2026 that includes a
TAC of 28,000 t for the period 2023 to 2026.
Tropical tuna
Albeit the extensive discussions regarding multi-annual conservation and management
programme for tropical tunas, no progress was achieved. Therefore, an agreement was reached
for a simple rollover of the current measures, which implies a Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
for bigeye tuna of 62,000 t for 2023 and the 72-day FAD fishing closure. The annual TAC for
yellowfin will remain at 110,000 t. In addition, in order to reduce the fishing mortality of
juvenile bigeye and yellowfin tuna, a 72-day fishing closure and the limitation on the use of
FADs in 2023 were also kept. Finally, it was decided that an intersessional meeting of Panel 1
will be held in 2023 to review existing measures and, inter alia, develop catch limits and
associated catch verification mechanisms for 2024.
Compliance
The Compliance Committee this year concentrated on some fundamental issues and adopted a
Schedule of Actions for compliance issues in the future and also adopted a Recommendation
on the use of the Integrated Online Management System.
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ENFull list of ICCAT Recommendations and Resolutions adopted
Resolution by ICCAT on climate change
Recommendation by ICCAT on the application on the integrated online management
system
Resolution by ICCAT establishing a pilot project to test the use of stereoscopic cameras
during first transfer and the automation of video footage analysis
Recommendation by ICCAT to replace Recommendation 06-14 to promote compliance
by nationals of Contracting Parties, Cooperating non-Contracting Parties, Entities, or
Fishing Entities with ICCAT conservation and management measures
Recommendation by ICCAT amending Recommendation 21-18 on the application of
the eBCD System
Resolution by ICCAT on development of initial conceptual management objectives for
western Atlantic skipjack
Recommendation by ICCAT replacing Recommendation 21-01 on a multi-annual
conservation and management programme for tropical tunas
Recommendation by ICCAT amending the Recommendation 21-06 to establish a
rebuilding plan for Mediterranean albacore
Resolution by ICCAT on a pilot project for the short-term live storage of bluefin tuna
Recommendation by ICCAT amending the Recommendation 21-08 establishing a
multi-annual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the
Mediterranean
Recommendation by ICCAT establishing a management procedure for Atlantic bluefin
tuna to be used for both the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
management areas
Recommendation by ICCAT for a conservation and management plan for western
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Recommendation by ICCAT on the southern Atlantic albacore catch limits for the
period 2023 to 2026
Recommendation by ICCAT on the conservation of the South Atlantic stock of shortfin
mako caught in association with ICCAT fisheries
Recommendation by ICCAT on the bycatch of sea turtles caught in association with
ICCAT fisheries (combine, streamline, and amend Recommendations 10-09 and 13-11)
Recommendation by ICCAT replacing supplemental Recommendation 21-03 extending
and amending Recommendation 17-03 for the conservation of South Atlantic swordfish
Recommendation by ICCAT Concerning the Conservation of Sharks Caught in
Association with Fisheries Managed by ICCAT
Rules and Procedures for the protection, access to, and dissemination of data compiled
by ICCAT
Schedule of compliance issues and corresponding actions
PE739.549v01-00 4/8 CR\1267920EN.docx
EN Document Number on Transhipment Declaration
Conclusion
Enhanced cooperation allowed for the adopted management procedure for Atlantic bluefin tuna,
the new conservation measure for South Atlantic shortfin mako shark, as well as progress on
matters related to the fight against illegal fishing and the establishment of joint surveillance and
inspection schemes.
ICCAT remains a very important forum to attend for the Committee on Fisheries, as its
decisions and recommendations - to be transposed into Community law - directly affect a very
large segment of the EU fishing fleet and a good portion of waters of strategic importance for
the EU and its Member States.
Over the past years, the relationship between the Commission (DG MARE), Council and
Parliament concerning ICCAT negotiations have become more affirmative. In preparation for
the ICCAT Annual meeting, the cooperation between Parliament and the European
Commission follows a very constructive pattern:
DG MARE informs Parliament on the main negotiating points it proposes to the Council
in the form of a Commission Services "non-paper";
• A preparatory meeting usually takes place in October, attended by national fishing sector,
NGO and PECH Committee representatives;
During the ICCAT Annual meeting the Head of the EU delegation offers a daily debrief
on the developments in the ongoing negotiations.
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ENFINAL PROGRAMME
European Parliament
2019 - 2024
Delegation of the Committee on Fisheries to the
23rd Special Meeting of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Vale de Lobo, Portugal
18-21 November 2022
Meeting venue:
Ria Park Hotel & SPA
Address: Av. do Garrão, 8125-951 Almancil, Portugal
Telephone: +351 289 359 800
Email: frontoffice@riaparkhotels.com
FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2022
Departures to Faro, Portugal / Faro International Airport (FAO)
Individual transfers to the meeting venue
14.00 Meeting point for all Delegation Members: ICCAT Meeting Venue Welcome
Desk - accreditation & introduction
14.30 - 16.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and
Administration (STACFAD)
16.30 - 18.00 Attendance of the meeting of Panel 2
Focus on review of the report of the Intersessional Meeting of Panel 2, and
consideration of any necessary actions
18.00 - 19.00 Debriefing session by the Head of EU Delegation on ongoing negotiations and
decisions taken
Individual dinner arrangements
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ENSATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2022
9.00 - 10.30 Attendance of the meeting of Panel 3
Focus on Measures for the conservation of stocks and implementation of the
ICCAT Criteria for the Allocation of Fishing Possibilities
11.00 - 13.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Compliance Committee
Focus on other recommendations to the Commission to improve compliance,
including consideration of a schedule of actions for future application
13.00 - 14.30 Lunch break
14.30 - 16.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Permanent Working Group
Focus on port inspection schemes and other port State measures
16.30 - 18.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and
Administration (STACFAD)
18.00 - 19.00 Debriefing session by the Head of EU Delegation on ongoing negotiations and
decisions taken
Individual dinner arrangements
SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2022
9.00 - 10.30 Attendance of the meeting of Panel 2
11.00 - 13.00 Attendance of the meeting of Panel 1
13.00 - 14.30 Lunch break
14.30 - 16.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Compliance Committee
16.30 - 18.00 Attendance of the meeting of the Permanent Working Group/Panel 4
18.00 End of the mission
Individual transfers to Faro International Airport (FAO)
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ENLIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Delegation of the Committee on Fisheries to the
23rd Special Meeting of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Vale de Lobo, Portugal
18-21 November 2022
MEMBERS (2)
Gabriel MATO (EPP) ES
Caroline ROOSE (Greens) FR
SECRETARIAT (1)
Sten SVANE - Administrator
No interpreters
PE739.549v01-00 8/8 CR\1267920EN.docx
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