Contact:  Scott Smullen                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                          November 24, 1998 

The United States was successful in establishing the first-ever mandatory plan to rebuild overfished Western Atlantic bluefin tuna at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. In addition, the U.S. delegation's strong stance on quota compliance and accountability for overfishing compelled the European Community to lower its 1999 bluefin quota to make up for past overharvests. The week-long ICCAT meeting concluded Monday.

"We are extremely pleased to have taken a major step towards stabilizing and rebuilding Western Atlantic bluefin tuna," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Terry Garcia, representing the Secretary of Commerce at the meeting. "The rebuilding plan is the first comprehensive long-term approach of its kind developed at ICCAT, and it reflects the commission's goal of maintaining populations at levels that allow maximum sustainable catch. And, we note the high degree of cooperation between our colleagues from Canada and Japan in achieving this step."

"We were successful in reaching concessions that we were looking for in the Eastern Atlantic. The United States questioned the viability of ICCAT because countries were ignoring their international obligation to conserve bluefin tuna. Without quota compliance and steps toward accountability, the United States would be forced to reevaluate its involvement with the commission. Member countries understood this and responded positively," said Garcia.

The 20-year rebuilding plan establishes a total allowable catch of 2,500 metric tons of Western Atlantic bluefin, which reflects the historical share of the resource divided between the United States, Canada, and Japan. For 1999, the United States will receive 1,387 metic tons, an increase of 43 metric tons. The rebuilding plan allows for flexibility based on future ICCAT scientific data so that it may be modified to reflect updates in stock status. The plan also provides incentives to minimize the discard of undersized bluefin, and requires all countries to monitor and report all sources of fishing mortality.

"While we have many miles to go before Atlantic tuna resources are stabilized and recovered, ICCAT's actions at this year's meeting represent the type of serious, constructive work that will eventually lead to our ultimate goals," said U.S. Commissioner to ICCAT and director of the Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service, Rolland Schmitten.

"The rebuilding plan provides stability and a long term certainty. Additionally, the plan establishes a framework that is consistent with our domestic rebuilding objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act," said Garcia.

The Atlantic bluefin tuna resource is divided into two management areas -- the Western and Eastern Atlantic -- with ICCAT making specific harvest and rebuilding recommendations for countries that fish in the respective areas.

Countries fishing for bluefin in the Eastern Atlantic were assessed a quota of 32,000 metric tons in 1999 and 29,500 metric tons in 2000. However, the 1999 quota will be reduced by approximately 5,000 metric tons under the terms of the compliance agreement to compensate for overharvests in 1997. The adjusted 1999 quota represents more than a 33 percent reduction in catch levels.

Garcia added, "This candid acknowledgment of overharvest, the actions to reduce catches accordingly, and the willingness to improve the compliance process send a strong message to the world that ICCAT is committed to the conservation and management of tunas and tuna-like species."

Trade restrictions on bluefin tuna from Panama, Belize and Honduras were maintained. Based on evidence provided by import data, trade data, and sighting information, several Non-Contracting Parties to ICCAT are to receive letters of warning from the ICCAT Secretariat.

ICCAT also adopted resolutions that direct its scientific body to develop rebuilding plans for North and South Atlantic Swordfish, Atlantic bigeye tuna, and Atlantic blue and white marlins, which are all species that have been declared in the U.S. Report to Congress as overfished.

There was considerable discussion at this year's ICCAT meeting of harvesting capacity as a means to limit effort and catch of ICCAT species. These discussions centered on bigeye, albacore, yellowfin and skipjack tunas. Agreement was reached on a plan to identify vessels greater than 24 meters in length harvesting bigeye tuna and to limit the number of these vessels to levels in recent years. Recreational vessels would be exempt, as would be minor harvesting nations, such as the United States.

A recommendation was adopted on southern albacore, which is considered nearly or fully fished, and will be subject to an overall cap equivalent to replacement yield. The four major countries fishing on southern albacore will report their landings bi-monthly and establish sharing arrangements when the catch reaches 80 percent of the cap.

After several years of urging increased transparency, ICCAT made significant progress in opening its proceeding to participants from Non-Governmental Organizations. The Commission revised its guidelines and criteria for granting observer status at ICCAT meetings, including reduced participation fees and less restrictive mechanisms for NGO participation.

ICCAT is a 25-member organization that oversees the scientific monitoring and international management of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean. The United States is an ICCAT-member country and the domestic management of ICCAT species is conducted by the Secretary of Commerce under the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act.