ICCAT meeting ends

Ghana’s delegation to the 18th Special Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas [ICAAT] has returned home with tons of commendation for the country’s expeditious handling of the compliance concerns raised at its last meeting in 2011.

The commendation jointly made by the Chairman of the Compliance Committee of ICCAT Secretariat, Mr. Chris Rogers and the EU Compliance Director General, Mr. Auronne Spezzani earlier at the DG Mare office in Brussels were confirmed at the meeting attended by all its tuna producing countries held in Agadir, Morocco from November 12 to 19, 2012.

Present were the EU member states, USA, Canada, South American countries such as Brazil and African member states, namely Morocco, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and South Africa.

The  delegation the largest ever to such a meeting was led by  Mike Akyeampong, Chairman of the Fisheries Commission and included Mr. Samuel Quaatey, Head Delegate as well as representatives of Ghana Tuna Association [GTA] and Boat Owners.

The various issues addressed at the 18th ICCAT Special Meeting included the introduction of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) which will track the movements / locations of all the tuna vessels over 20m long, which are commercially involved in industrial tuna fishing, whether or not they are entering other EEZs which they do not have a fishing license agreement; the banning of transshipment at sea; the implementation of a ‘payback’ system for over-harvesting on Big Eye Tuna; improvement on data quality and its reporting; and good traceability work being done by Pioneer Food Cannery (PFC) Limited.

Ghana was  commended for not only paving the way as the leading Contract Party Country (CPC) in West Africa but also in the entire African Continent when it comes to its commitment, management and compliance of tropical tunas in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Ghana’s initiation of the process on fleet capacity in accordance with Recommendation 01-04 and better data reporting and timely reporting was also recognized and commended.

Mr. Quaatey, the Ghana Head Delegate in his submission said, besides Ghana’s positive balance of dues payment to ICCAT, she has generally also shown good traceability of work; and intimated that the effort of Ghana to redeem its previous image was noticeable and acclaimed at the conference saying, ‘this is his best year ever since leading Ghana to various ICAAT meetings’.

He said countries belonging to the Atlantic African Tuna Producing Countries [ATLAFCO] during the meeting also held a special session with its Executive Chairman who in turn also congratulated Ghana for the concerted effort done so far to reach its current position.

ATLAFCO he noted has also  Kwesi Ahwoi, the Minister of Food and Agriculture as chairman with his offices in Rabat, Morocco.

Mr. Spezzani, the EU Compliance Director General on his part recounted his visit to Ghana in July this year and further thanked Mr  Ahwoi for his wonderful reception and fruitful deliberations on compliance, which no doubt have contributed to the nation’s current status and acclamation.

Mr. Nichol Elizabeth, General Manager of Pioneer Food Cannery [PFC] who was a member of the delegation on his part said; ‘Ghana is on a good path as the leading CPC and can build further on this current success’.        

Kwesi Ahwoi flanked by with Messrs. Chris Rodgers and Auronne Spezzani, with Chairman of Ghana Tuns Association Chairman, Tackie (right) and Director, Fisheries Commission, Samuel Quaatey.

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