Strengthening the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

Abstract

The dynamics of RFMOs are often complex and difficult to disentangle. This is certainly the case with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) where the workings of the RFMO and the process of change are made more difficult by a relatively large number of Contracting Parties, a dated Convention, disagreements over scientific assessments, and continued concerns over the overexploitation of key tuna stocks. There is particular concern about the effectiveness of ICCAT’s conservation and management measures for the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock. For example, at the meeting of stakeholders and managers for East Atlantic Bluefin tuna, held in Tokyo in March 2008, the ICCAT Chairman noted that “grave concerns are being raised about ICCAT’s competence to manage the tuna stocks in the region” (OPRT 2008). The US has repeatedly expressed frustration at the slow pace of change within ICCAT and the reluctance of the membership to address pressing problems (Hogarth, 2007).