Ref. Ares(2017)2408163-11/05/2017 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas Commission Internationale pour la Conservation des Thonidesdel Atlantique Comisión Internacional para la Conservación del Atún Atlántico KOBE PROCESS Brussels, MARE B/АМ/ ARES(2017) To the Members of the KOBE Steering Committee Subject: Joint t-rfmos FADs Working Group Dear Steering Committee members, As you are aware, the first joint t-rfmos FADs Working Group took place in Madrid on 19 21 April of this year. First of all, Ī would like, in my capacity as Chair of the KOBE Steering Committee, to thank the ICCAT Secretariat for coordinating, in cooperation with the IATTC and IOTC Secretariats, the organisation of this meeting. I also wish to thank the European Union and FAO (via the ABNJ project) for providing financial support to this initiative I am very pleased about the outcomes of the meeting which was attended by all relevant of stakeholders involved in the use and management of FADs: managers, scientists, industry representatives and NGOs. The presentations were very informative and the debate lively. The high level of participation, with over 100 participants, 32 CPC delegations represented and numerous observers and organisations, shows the strong interest that all stakeholders have in this topic. The success of the joint FADs WG meeting is also the clear eample that the KOBE process can work when topics are carefully chosen and there is cooperation from all parties. This was the first meeting of its kind, and I hope it will be the beginning of a process of coordination and cooperation among the different t-rfmos to improve knowledge on FADs behavior and create positive synergies on their management. While the use of FADs is a highly effective fishing method, their potential impact on fish stocks, on the ecosystem and their contribution to marine debris are of concern and call for their management, both in terms of use and impacts, across all oceans. Corazón de Marfa 8-6", 28002 Madrid. Spain Espagne España-Tel. 34 91 4165600 Fa. 34 91 415 2612 http/www.iccat.int/ info@iccat.int
The final document adopted at the meeting (in anne) identifies key areas for future action in FADs use and management: from harmonization of definitions to research priorities, from data needs to mitigation of adverse impacts. Some of these areas are within the remit of CPCs competences, others of the respective t- RFMOs, but many will benefit from a coordinated approach among t-rfmos. I am counting on your cooperation to give ample visibility to this event and to ensure appropriate follow-up to the actions identified in your respective FADs WGs and Commissions. I believe that it would be etremely valuable to organize a follow-up meeting in 2018. I understand that he EU is willing to provide financial support and I hope I can count on your support for the organization of such an event. Yours sincerely, KOBE PROCESS Chair Enclosures: 1 / Corazón de María 8-6", 28002 Madrid. Spain - Espagne España-Tel. 34 91 4165600 Fa. 34 91 415 2612 - http/www.iccat.int/ info ficcai, int
Original: English KEY AREAS FOR FUTURE ACTION FOR THE JOINT T-RFMO FAD WG KEYAREAS SPECIFIC ACTIONS KOBE REMO CPC GENERAL ISSUES Legal aspects: - Definition of a FAD Definition of ownership and responsibilities Definitions and common indicators: - Identify available sources for common definitions - Harmonize definitions related to science and management of FADs: FAD set (associated vs non- associated), non-entangling, biodegradable, active buoy, type of operation at FADs etc. Prioritization should be given to those definitions with direct management implications and the science needed to guide that management - Need to develop harmonized FAD fishery indicators (e.g. number of FADs, FAD sets, ratio of FAD-associated sets to unassociated sets, numbers of vessels deploying FADs and supply vessels etc.) to estimate the contribution of FADs to the overall effective fishing effort and capacity in tropical tuna fisheries across ocean regions Enhanced cooperation: - Collaboration between industry and scientists for the improvement of the collection of data, scientific research and to develop effective mitigation techniques - Coordination and collaboration on research plans on FADs across t- RFMOs - Creation of a small technical working group of eperts under the KOBE umbrella, with a focus on research and other technical aspects Elaboration and implementation of appropriate management frameworks: - Define clear management objectives Page 1 of 3
- Review eisting FADs management plans and eplore potential for harmonization across t-rfmos - Assess the effectiveness of various management options for FADs within the framework of general tropical tuna fisheries management (e.g. overall fishing capacity) - Address monitoring (e.g. 100% observer and VMS coverage) and compliance issues Consider adaptive, precautionary, management with respect to emerging issues with FADs, taking into account the best available science Data: - Identify data gaps and needs - Optimize and harmonize the collection of data and develop common Y minimum standards and formats - Improve data collection in FAD fisheries in general DATA GAPS AND NEEDS - Establish comprehensive systems to accurately quantify numbers of FADs and active buoys - Need for development of robust FAD marking and tracking systems - Establish wide-scale collection of individual FAD deployment, tracking, and set-history data - Collect new types of data on the operational and technical fleets' characteristics, including on supply vessels - Facilitate access by scientists to acoustic records of the echo-sounder buoys as a potential source of fishery independent indices - Develop appropriate framework of confidentiality Ensure/facilitate access to data for scientists and managers [...] - Mitigate the impact of FADs, consider establishing limits on the number of FADs deployed, and consider feasibility and costeffectiveness of FAD recovery practices - Evaluate economic incentives and disincentives in all FAD v management measures. Page 2 of 3
MITIGATION Target species: - Identification of hotspots for juvenile BET and YFT Evaluate benefits of gear modifications: net changes, FADs designs, etc. - Encourage further research on pre-set echo-sounder discrimination of species, and size, at a FAD Consider the regional effectiveness of time-area closures, including adaptive closures, and catch and/or FADs sets limits and allow this to inform future management Non-target species: Habitat: - Improve information on the impacts of FAD fisheries on vulnerable elasmobranch and turtle species - Identification of hot spots for vulnerable species - Implement best practices for handling and safe release of by-catch species as appropriate - Introduction of non-entangling FADs designs - Outreach and training of operators - Promote full utilization of low value bony fish by-catch, as appropriate, and reduction of discards - Mapping and recognition of sensitive areas using available information and identification of post-beaching impacts to inform mitigation initiatives - Tracking positions and trajectories of FADs - Develop innovative FAD designs to mitigate the habitat impact of FAD fisheries such as prevention of FADs sinking and beaching, recovery at sea, "smart FADs", biodegradable designs... - Assess the effect of establishing limits on numbers of FADs deployed as well as on areas or periods of deployment - Promote involvement of coastal communities in implementing actions or management measures - Consider anchored and drifting FADs in the overall analysis of impacts Page 3 of 3 Electronically signed on 05/05/2017 17:03 (UTC+02) in accordance with article 4.2 (Validity of electronic documents) of Commission Decision 2004/563