a) Regional implementation of the Strategy on Status and Trends Reporting in Capture Fisheries
61. The Commission was informed (APFIC/04/Inf.6) of the FAO Strategy on Status and Trends Reporting in Capture Fisheries (Strategy-STF) which was adopted at the 25th Session of COFI in 2003. It was further informed about a project to implement this strategy which has been elaborated within the framework of the FAO Fish Code Programme "Assistance to Developing Countries for the Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries". This project aims to address information needs for small-scale fisheries and capacity building of developing countries to collect such information.
62. The Commission welcomed the FishCode-STF project and acknowledged that it was timely and highly relevant to APFIC in its new role as a Regional Consultative forum with a focus on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture. The Commission recommended active participation of the APFIC member countries in promoting this important Strategy and implementing it, in collaboration with relevant Regional Fishery Bodies and arrangements.
b) Main outcomes of the Technical Consultations on IUU Fishing and Fishing Capacity and on Subsidies in the Fisheries Sector, Rome, Italy, 24 June - 2 July 2004
63. The Commission was informed of relevant outcomes and recommendations of the Technical Consultations held at the FAO Headquarters, 24 June - 2 July (document APFIC/04/Inf.7). The Technical Consultation on "Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and fishing capacity" reported that IUU fishing had increased in both its intensity and scope, with its wide-spread impacts being a major threat to the sustainable development of the world's fisheries. It recognized that problems associated with IUU fishing and over-capacity are inter-connected and undermine national and regional efforts to achieve responsible fishing.
64. The Consultation made a number of recommendations concerning IUU fishing and fishing capacity. These include (i) consider increasing the severity of penalties for IUU fishing, (ii) increase cooperation on trade of illegally caught fish to improve their fleet monitoring programmes; and (iii) establish better international controls on exports of fishing boats from one region to another. FAO was requested to consider establishing a global database for information related to IUU fishing, assist developing countries to increase their capacity in the effective implementation of IPOA-IUU Fishing and IPOA-Fishing Capacity and facilitate interaction amongst stakeholders in this implementation.
65. The Technical Consultation on the "Use of subsidies in the fisheries sector" noted that there had been an increasing trend of reducing subsidies to the fisheries sector in many developed States. However, many developing States believed that subsidies that lead to sustainable development and improved livelihood of their rural coastal communities are desirable and necessary. The Technical Consultation noted that the impact of subsidies varied depending on the nature and implementation of the fisheries management regimes, the state and nature of the fish stocks exploited and the type and magnitude of the subsidy and its duration. A need to have a better understanding of the nature and extent of links between subsidies and over-capacity was highlighted.
66. The Commission concurred with the views and recommendations of these Technical Consultations and recognized the importance of addressing socio-economic implications of controlling fishing capacity and the role and impact of subsidies on small-scale fisheries, especially food security and improved livelihood of rural communities.
67. The Secretariat informed the Commission that some of these issues could also be dealt with through the Regional Consultative Forum.
c) Presentations by Regional Organizations
68. The Commission appreciated the opportunity to have been informed of the work of ten Regional
Organizations (see names of organizations in Appendix B) operating in the Asia and the Pacific and welcomed the offer by these organizations to collaborate on activities of mutual interest. The Commission recognized the importance of these partnerships in promoting responsible fisheries and aquaculture in the region.
