Conservation and management of fish stocks: statistical monitoring of bluefin tuna, swordfish and bigeye tuna

PURPOSE : to introduce a system for the statistical monitoring of trade in bluefin tuna, swordfish and bigeye tuna within the Community. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 1984/2003/EC introducing a system for the statistical monitoring of trade in bluefin tuna, swordfish and bigeye tuna within the Community. CONTENT : the Council adopted by qualified majority a Regulation introducing a system for the statistical monitoring of trade in bluefin tuna, swordfish and bigeye tuna within the Community. The initial proposal, based on Article 37 of the Treaty, was presented to the Council in August 2002. This Regulation lays down general rules and conditions for the application by the Community of: - the statistical document programmes for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) adopted by the "ICCAT"; - the statistical document programme for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) adopted by the "IOTC". The International Commission adopted recommendations for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) on the introduction of statistical document programmes for bigeye tuna and Atlantic swordfish. The Convention, which establishes a framework on the conservation and management of tuna stocks and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas, was adopted recently. The Community must now put into effect these recommendations and this Convention, which are legally bindings for the parties. The measures adopted aim at regulating stocks of bigeye tuna and swordfish, improving the quality and reliability of statistical data and controlling the spread of illegal fishing. Measures concerning bluefin tuna, which are already part of Community legislation, are now integrated in provisions on bigeye tuna and swordfish. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 14 November 2003.�