Commission welcomes ratification of tuna-fisheries convention for the Eastern Pacific

The entering into force of the Antigua Convention allows for a substantial overhaul and modernisation of IATTC, making it a better suited tool to ensure the sustainability of the tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific in accordance with current concepts of international fisheries management. The new Convention also opens the way for parties other than states to accede to full membership of the IATTC.

At present, the EU is a Cooperating Non-Party to the organisation. �I warmly welcome this decision, which is yet another example of the European Union�s global commitment to securing sustainable fisheries,� commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. �I look forward to early ratification by the parties concerned, so that the Convention can enter into force as soon as possible.� The IATTC was established in 1949 on the basis of a Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica. It currently brings together 15 Contracting Parties, including France and Spain. The organisation is responsible for the conservation and management of fisheries for tuna and other species taken by tuna-fishing vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.