| Western Indian Ocean Tuna Organization Convention |
|
Link
to text of agreement
Status
of agreement
| Basic information |
| Date of adoption | 19 June 1991 |
| Place of adoption | Mahé, Seychelles |
| Entry into force | 15 December 1992 |
| Authentic text(s) | English, Portuguese |
| Summary of provisions |
Objectives
The Convention's objectives are: (a) harmonization of policies with respect to fisheries; (b) improvement of relations with distant water fishing nations; (c) fisheries surveillance and enforcement; (d) fisheries development; and (e) reciprocal access to EEZs of other members. [Article 2]
Scope
- Material
The species covered include the following tuna and tuna-like species: albacore tuna, bigeye tuna, bullet tuna, frigate tuna, longtail tuna, skipjack tuna, southern bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, kawakawa, narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Indo-Pacific king mackerel, Indo-Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, Indo-Pacific sailfish, swordfish. [Annex III]
- Geographic
The area of competence of the Organization extends from 11oN latitude from the Eastern coast of India and through the following coordinates: 11oN latitude to 85oE longitude and 3oN latitude to 85oE longitude and 3oN latitude and 45oS latitude to 80oE longitude and 45oS latitude to 30oE longitude and then along meridian 30oE to the coast of Africa. This area coincides with FAO Statistical Area 51. [Annex II]
Organizational mechanism
Western Indian Ocean Tuna Organization
| Description of agreement |
The WIOTO Convention was developed primarily in response to the perception of the small island States in the southwest Indian Ocean that the existing FAO regional initiatives were European-dominated and because of concerns surrounding the use of large-scale pelagic driftnets to fish for tuna in the region. Negotiations were opened at a Consultative Meeting on Tuna Management and Development Strategies in the Seychelles in 1989 and the Convention was signed at a third consultative meeting in June 1991. The Convention received the three necessary ratifications to come into force in December 1992 (Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius). The Organization is not operative, however, because of financial constraints. A Ministerial Meeting of WIOTO was held in August 1994 but no meetings have been held since and it is not currently envisaged that the Organization will be re-established.
Participation
Participation in the Convention is open to any of the founding States (Comoros, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania) and any independent coastal State bordering the Western Indian Ocean whose territory is situated principally in the Western Indian Ocean region, subject to the unanimous approval of the parties to the Convention. This definition is designed to exclude distant water fishing nations with territory in the region (e.g., France).
Organizational structure
The Convention provides for the establishment of a Committee, a Board and a Secretariat. The Board is the principal policy-making body, and the Committee provides technical advice. The Secretariat is responsible for the collection, analysis, evaluation and distribution of information; providing technical advice and assistance, as requested; establishing working arrangements with relevant regional or international organizations; and maintaining effective relations with donor organizations.
Functions
The WIOTO Convention expresses strengthened cooperation and coordination in fisheries relations by coastal States in the region, especially in regard to the harmonization of fisheries policies; relations with distant water fishing nations; surveillance and enforcement; development; and reciprocal access to EEZs of other members. WIOTO is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing organizations that have a scientific and technical focus.
| Further information and references |
- Internet sources