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Fishing vessels operating under open registers and the exercise of flag State responsibilities. Information and options.

Year of publication 2002

Pages 65

Author Judith Swan;Fishery and Aquaculture Economics and Policy Division

Product type Book (series)

Series title FAO Fisheries Circular

Series number 0429-9329 - C980

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The number of fishing vessels operating under open registers is increasing. A related concern is to secure the effective control of fishing vessels by the flag State. This concern is evidenced by a range of post-United Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) international instruments that progressively include clearer and more thorough duties of the flag State. The purpose of this paper is to review activities relating to the fishing fleets of countries with open registries and, in par ticular, those activities that result from countries not exercising effective flag State control over those fleets. It is based on information available in the public domain and communications with officials in States, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and international organizations and agencies. The current interpretation of the provision on the need for a “genuine link” between a ship and its flag is to secure more effective implementation of the duties of the flag State. An ai m of this paper is to report on how and where this is being achieved. Flag State responsibilities in relation to fishing vessels are reviewed as they appear in the recent international instruments: the 1982 Convention, the FAO Compliance Agreement, the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. The rationale for maintaining or using open reg istries is discussed from the point of view of the open registry State, the shipowner and the fishing vessel owner. National policy, legislation and administrative arrangements for open registers is explained. The varying degrees of control and compliance implemented by the flag State is noted, and the effect of this on fishing fleets flying its flag is observed.

Cite this content as:

Swan, J. Fishing Vessels operating under open registers and the exercise of flag State responsibilities. Information and options. FAO Fisheries Circular. No. 980. Rome, FAO. 2002. 65p.

Language English

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