MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South Atlantic Fisheries Commission.

Joint press statement of the Twenty-fifth meeting.

1) The twenty-fifth meeting of the South Atlantic Fisheries Commission took place in London on 01/02 July 2004. The British Delegation was led by the Head of the Overseas Territories Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr. Tony Crombie and the Argentine Delegation was led by Ambassador Santos Goñi, Head of the Malvinas and South Atlantic Department, Foreign Ministry. The meeting took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.

2) The Argentine and British delegations agreed that there applied to this meeting and its consequences the formula on sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas contained in Paragraph 2 of the Joint Declaration issued in Madrid, 19 October 1989.

3) The South Atlantic Fisheries Commission welcomed the report of the Scientific Sub Committee (SSC) on its 22nd meeting which was held in London on 28-29 June 2004. The Commission welcomed the continuing co-operation between INIDEP and Imperial College which contributed to the Commission's understanding of the scientific aspects of the fisheries of significant species. It was pleased that both institutions had agreed to continue with the implementation of joint projects.

4) Both delegations reaffirmed the importance they attach to ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks and reiterated the commitment of both Governments to the conservation of the fish and squid stocks of the South West Atlantic. They recommend to both Governments the continuation of further scientific research in order to achieve a greater understanding of the most significant off-shore species in the area.

5) The Commission noted the serious concerns raised in the SSC concerning the status of the Illex stock, particularly that recruitment and catches in 2004 were the lowest on record. It also noted the concerns of the SSC about the level of uncertainty associated with the estimate of spawning stock biomass of Illex remaining at the end of the 2004 season. Given these indicators and concerns, the Commission agreed to recommend to both Governments that a very precautionary approach should be taken to the conservation of this species.

6) The Commission also agreed to recommend to both Governments that a two day workshop on Illex should take place before the next meeting of the SSC in order to address the concerns held by both Delegations about the status of the Illex fishery, including considering possible changes to the Early Warning System, within a more precautionary framework. Is also agreed to recommend that a joint survey to assess recruitment of the Illex stock should take place in February 2005.

7) Both delegations stressed their support for enhancements to the Early Warning System. The exchange of real-time data on fishing operations remained central to the operation of the system. The Commission agreed to recommend to both Governments that, until such time as agreement is reached on any increased escapement target, every effort be made to maintain the level of Illex spawning stock biomass at the end of the fishing season above the previously agreed level, in order to ensure stock sustainability.

8) Recalling the Commission's concerns about the importance of achieving sustainability in the Southern Blue Whiting, the Commission noted that current analysis indicated that the decline in stock size had been arrested, but that there was as yet no convincing evidence that the stock size was increasing. However these results are subject to a considerable level of uncertainty and the SSC had therefore recommended that the catches of SBW in the SWA should remain close to 55,000 metric tons to maintain the stock size. Given the need to maintain a precautionary approach to this important fishery, the Commission agreed that further scientific investigation was required to clarify uncertainty in the status of this stock.

9) The Commission noted the ongoing research on Southern Blue Whiting and the information gained from the two vessel survey of this species. The Commission agreed to recommend that a joint survey on this species should start during September of this year. In further discussion of this species the SSC should take account of the findings of the survey and provide recommendations to the Commission at its next meeting.

10) The two Delegations exchanged views on further issues relating to cooperation on fisheries conservation. They concurred that the timely establishment of a multilateral agreement would provide the necessary long-term mechanism to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks in the high seas of the South West Atlantic and exchanged views in this respect.

11) Both Delegations referred to practical measures needed to prevent poaching, given that it can undermine the maintenance of conservation of fish stocks in the South West Atlantic. They agreed to continue to enhance efforts aimed at achieving these objectives in a co-ordinated way.

12) The Argentine delegation reiterated the concern of the Argentine Government about the situation created by the British decision with respect to the area described in the Annex of the Joint Statement of 28 November 1990, and to the area to the west of it. It expressed the hope of the Argentine Government that the matter be resolved. The British delegation reiterated its position.

13) The two parties will maintain contacts through diplomatic channels with a view to agreeing on the place and dates of the next meeting of the Commission. The meeting will be preceded, as usual by a meeting of the Scientific Sub-Committee.