South-East Atlantic fisheries organisation: Convention on conservation and management of fisheries resources

PURPOSE: European Community accession to the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fishery Resources in the South-East Atlantic Ocean. CONTENT: The Convention was signed in Windhoek, Namibia on 20 April 2001. Article 5 of the Convention established the South-East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO). The aim and purpose of the Convention is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in the Convention Area. Fishery resources covered by the Convention are: fish, mollusc, crustaceans and other sedentary species. Highly migratory species are not covered. Intensive and productive co-operation between the contracting parties is expected to ensure effective application of the principles governing the Convention. The European Union, which is a contracting party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has the authority to adopt measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources and to enter into agreements with other countries and international organisations. Membership of this Convention would allow the Community to promote its fishing interests in the region. Only three notifications of ratification, accession, acceptance or approval are required for the Convention to enter into force. The clear benefits of the Convention regarding fish stocks in the South-East Atlantic Ocean are clear and for this reason the Commission urges the rapid adoption of the Council Decision allowing Community accession to the Convention.�