SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA EXPERIMENTAL FISHING PROGRAM FOR 1999

The Fisheries Agency of Japan has announced the implementation of a Southern Bluefin Tuna Experimental Fishing Program. This is the second year of the research carried out by Japan. The Program began June 1st in the high seas area off South Australia and the Southern Indian Ocean. Japan has reached an impasse in reaching agreement on stock levels with Australia and New Zealand. Japan believes the important indicators, such as improvement in fishing productivity and the recovery of young fish, reflect the recovery of the southern bluefin tuna stock. Due to different scientific views, the total allowable catch of southern bluefin tuna managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) has not changed since 1989 (11,750 m.t.) and no agreement was reached on the total allowable catch (TAC) in 1998 and 1999. This situation has prevented the implementation of sound conservation and optimum utilization of this important fishery resource through appropriate management. The first year of the Experimental Fishing Program confirmed that Australia and New Zealand's hypotheses were unrealistic. It was their view that areas in which there was no catch data may not contain fish. Due to information obtained from Japan's 1998 research, we now know that these areas do contain southern bluefin tuna. Once again this year, despite a series of intensive consultations, consensus among the three countries could not be reached, although Japan has made its best efforts to accommodate the proposal of Australia and New Zealand during the course of the consultation. Continuation of the Experimental Fishing Program is necessary to assure an improved scientific assessment. Since it is necessary to begin the Program taking into account the timing of the migration of southern bluefin tuna to the survey area, Japan decided to begin the program June 1st, incorporating proposal by Australia and New Zealand for improving the EFP, as practical as possible. Japan will continue its efforts toward the development of a joint program with Australia and New Zealand, even after the commencement of the Experimental Fishing Program.