The promoters of FIP BLUES project participated in the 26th Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), held from November 18 -25th in Palma de Mallorca.

During the meeting numerous draft recommendations were presented, being subjected to intense discussion due to the divergent opinions and interests among the different Contracting Parts.

As result of this debate the final adopted projects were selected. The ones that in some way can affect the longline fleet of the OPP operating in the Atlantic Ocean are mentioned below:

  • Draft Recommendation 807 C amending the Recommendation 16-12 on management measures for the conservation of the North Atlantic blue shark (Prionace glauca) stocks. The proposal was submitted by the EU and establishes an annual TAC of 39,102 tons for this species, being 32,578 tons for the EU.
  • Draft recommendation 808 B on management measures for the conservation of the South Atlantic blue shark (Prionace glauca) stocks. The proposal was submitted by the EU and establishes an annual TAC of 28,923 tons without distribution among the contracting parties.
  • Draft Recommendation 815 A on the development of initial management objectives for North Atlantic swordfish stocks proposed by Canada. It states that operational objectives must be based on trying to keep population at levels that support maximum sustainable catches or higher (RMS).
  • Draft Recommendation 821 on the conservation of the North Atlantic shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) stocks caught in association with ICCAT fisheries submitted by the chairman of the Subcommittee 4. It supposes the continuation of the current measure encouraging the Contracting Parts to reach an agreement for 2020 on some measure following the recommendation of the SCRS.