Reference #
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Recommendation
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Responsibility
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Update/Status
|
Timeline
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Priority
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PRIOTC02.01
(para. 81)
|
Analysis of the IOTC Agreement against other international instruments
NOTING para 80, the PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the Commission establish an ad-hoc Working Party on the Modernisation of the IOTC Agreement, based on the following scope:
a) Develop proposed language for the IOTC Agreement that takes into account modern principles of fisheries management;
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Commission & ad-hoc Working Party
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
b) Develop a multi-year Program of Work that outlines the specific priority issues to be discussed using the legal analysis contained in Appendix III of this report to inform the working party deliberations;
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Commission & ad-hoc Working Party
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
c) Proposals to enable the participation of all fishing players with direct fishing interests in IOTC;
|
Commission & ad-hoc Working Party
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
d) That all CPCs should participate in the Working Party and that funds be provided to support the participation of developing coastal States in the meetings;
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Commission & ad-hoc Working Party
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
e) That the working group meet at least annually and to the extent possible progress its work inter-sessionally using electronic means.
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Commission & ad-hoc Working Party
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Pending
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TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.02
(para. 86)
|
Status of living marine resources
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) while continuing to work on improving data collection and reporting, the Scientific Committee should continue to utilise qualitative stock assessment methodologies for species where these is limited data available, including ecological risk based approaches, and support the development and refinement of data poor fisheries stock assessment techniques to support the determination of stock status.
|
Scientific Committee
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Pending
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TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) confidentiality provisions and issues of accessibility to data by the scientists involved needs to be clearly delineated, and/or amended if necessary, so that stock assessment analysis can be replicated.
|
Scientific Committee & Commission
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
c) chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the Scientific Committee and respective Working Parties, in conjunction with the IOTC Secretariat, develop guiding principles for the provision of papers to ensure that they are directly related to the Program of Work of the respective Working Party and/or Scientific Committee, as endorsed by the Commission, while still encouraging for new and emerging issues to be presented.
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Scientific Committee & Working Party Chairs and Vice-Chairs
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
|
|
d) ongoing peer review and input by external scientific experts should be incorporated as standard best practice for Working Parties and included in the Commission’s regular budget.
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Scientific Committee & Commission
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Pending
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TBD
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TBD
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PRIOTC02.03 (para. 96)
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Data collection and reporting
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Commission make further investments in data collection and targeted capacity building, which is necessary for further improvement in the provision and quality of data in support of the Commission’s objectives, as well as to identify the sources of the uncertainty in data and work towards reducing that uncertainty.
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Commission
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Pending
|
TBD
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TBD
|
|
b) while there are budgetary implications, the IOTC Secretariat staffing dedicated to data collection and data capacity building activities should be increased from 3 to 5 full-time data staff.
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Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) the IOTC Secretariat should facilitate discussions with coastal State non-CPCs and other non-CPCs fishing within the IOTC area of competence to formalise long-term strategies for data submission to the IOTC Secretariat, including all relevant historical data sets.
|
IOTC Secretariat
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
d) steps to gain access to fine-scale data to be used in joint analysis, with sufficient protection of confidentiality, should be taken.
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IOTC Secretariat
|
Pending
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TBD
|
TBD
|
|
e) where budgets and other resources permit, to encourage data preparatory meetings preceding stock assessment review meetings (Working Parties).
|
Scientific Committee
|
Pending
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TBD
|
TBD
|
|
f) innovative and/or alternative means of data collection and reporting should be explored and, as appropriate, implemented, including a move towards electronic data collection and reporting for all fleets.
|
Scientific Committee
|
Pending
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TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.04 (para. 102)
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Compliance with data collection and reporting requirements
The Commission, through its Compliance Committee, needs to strengthen its compliance monitoring in relation to the timeliness and accuracy of data submissions. To that end, the PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Commission review its compliance monitoring program conducted by the Compliance Committee, including identification of priority obligations (e.g. timely and accurate data reporting, catch and effort limits, accuracy of the supplied registered fishing vessel information, etc.).
|
Commission and Compliance Committee
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Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the compliance monitoring program review all priority obligations and undertake the compliance review by obligation and by CPCs and that the Commission publish a report of each CPCs compliance by obligation and CPC. The reports of all Compliance Missions should be appended to the compliance report of that relevant CPC and where the CPC has identified an action plan, that they not be assessed for that obligation.
|
Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) the Commission develop a scheme of responses (in accordance with the IOTC Rules of Procedure (2014) Appendix V, para. 3b (iv)) to priority non-compliance areas, including the preparation of CPC Implementation Action Plans that outline how the CPC will, over time, implement its obligations and alternative responses to serious violations of IOTC CMMs taking into account the FAOs Voluntary Guidelines for Flag State Performance. Reforms to the compliance monitoring program should include the ability of developing CPCs to identify (though the preparation of an Implementation Action Plan) and seek assistance for obligations that they are currently non-compliant with, including for example requesting capacity assistance, capacity building, resources, etc., to enable, overtime, implement its obligations.
|
Commission and Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
d) to facilitate thorough reviews of compliance, the Commission should invest in the development and implementation of an integrated electronic reporting program. This should include automatic integration of data from CPCs into the IOTC Secretariat’s databases and automatic cross-referencing obligations and reports for the various obligations, in particular related to the provision of scientific data.
|
Commission and Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.05 (para. 104)
|
Capacity building (Data Collection)
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Commission expand its current data support and data compliance missions and that the IOTC Secretariat should be granted increased autonomy to seek and attract external donor funds to support the work approved by the Commission, including supporting actions and/or capacity building initiatives from Compliance Missions that are applicable to more than two CPCs.
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Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the IOTC should continue the workshop series aimed at Connecting the IOTC Science and Management processes. The aims of the workshop series should be to: 1) improve the level of comprehension among IOTC CPCs on how the scientific process informs the management process for managing of IOTC species and ecosystem-based management; 2) increase the awareness of IOTC Contracting Parties to their obligations, as stipulated in the Commissions’ Conservation and Management Measures which are based on rigorous scientific advice; 3) improve the decision making process within the IOTC; and 4) to provide direct assistance in the drafting of proposals for Conservation and Management Measures.
|
Commission & Secretariat
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.06 (para. 106)
|
Non-target species
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the Commission should continue to improve upon the requirements of data collection and reporting mechanisms of non-IOTC species that interact with IOTC fisheries.
|
Commission and Scientific Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.07 (para. 112)
|
Quality and provision of scientific advice
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Scientific Committee should continue the good work undertaken since the PRIOTC01 and strive to make further improvements in the way it communicates information about stock status and future prospects for the stocks to the Commission.
|
Scientific Committee & Working Parties
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) an independent peer review process (and budgeting mechanism) for stock assessments should be implemented if IOTC science is to be considered to be in line with best practice and to maintain a high standard of quality assurance.
|
Scientific Committee & Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) the Scientific Committee, through its Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch should pursue the application of ecosystem modelling frameworks.
|
Scientific Committee & Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
d) continue to develop and adopt robust target and limit reference points, and species or fishery specific harvest control rules through management strategy evaluations, noting that this process has commenced for several species and is specified in IOTC Resolution 15/10 on target and limit reference points and a decision framework. The mandated Resolution 14/03 [superseded by Resolution 16/09] on enhancing the dialogue between fisheries scientists and managers, will benefit from having communication between the Scientific Committee and the Commission more formally structured, facilitated dialogue to enhance understanding and inform decision making.
|
Scientific Committee & Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
e) the Commission and its subsidiary bodies continue to ensure that meeting schedules and activities are rationalised so that the already heavy workload of those involved, and budgeting constraints, are taken into account.
|
Commission & Scientific Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
f) the Commission fully implements Resolution 12/01 On the implementation of the precautionary approach, so as to apply the precautionary approach, in accordance with relevant internationally agreed standards, in particular with the guidelines set forth in the UNFSA, and to ensure the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources as set forth in Article V of the IOTC Agreement, including ensuring that a lack of information or increased uncertainty in datasets/stock assessment, is not used as a justification to delay taking management actions to ensure the sustainability of IOTC species and those impacted by IOTC fisheries.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
g) while there are budgetary implications, the IOTC Secretariat staffing dedicated to scientific analysis should be increased from 2 to 4 full-time science staff.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.08 (para. 123)
|
Adoption of Conservation and Management Measures
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Commission acknowledge the inherent difficulty in managing small scale and data poor fisheries and continue efforts to adopt adequate fisheries management arrangements and to assist developing coastal States to overcome constraints to implement the CMMs.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) as the IOTC has faced the management of the main targeted stock under its purview only through a regulation of the fishing effort; other approaches should be explored, such as those envisioned in Resolutions 05/01 and 14/02, including catch limits, total allowable catch (TAC) or total allowable effort (TAE).
|
Commission & Scientific Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) the Science-Management Dialogue is strengthened to improve understanding of modern approaches to fisheries management, including the implementation of Harvest Strategies through the use of Management Strategy Evaluation. The Commission adopt a formal process of developing and implementing Harvest Strategies within a prescribed timeframe.
|
Commission & Scientific Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.09 (para. 129)
|
Fishing capacity management
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the IOTC should establish a stronger policy on fishing capacity to prevent or eliminate all excess fishing capacity, including options to freeze capacity levels as an interim measure, while alternative management measures are considered. As current capacity limits are generic and apply across all fleets and their ability to control catch of particular species is limited, therefore alternative management measures should be considered which may include spatial-temporal area closures, quota allocation, etc.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the Commission undertake a formal process to develop transfer mechanisms to developing coastal States, and in particular the least developed among them, with a view to realising their fleet development aspirations within sustainable levels.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.10 (para. 133)
|
Compatibility of management measures
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that if needed, CPCs request assistance from other CPCs or PRIOTC02.01 (para. 81) the IOTC Secretariat to assist in the assessment of the legal needs to effectively implement IOTC CMMs, noting that this process has already commenced with a number of IOTC Contracting Parties.
|
Secretariat & CPCs
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.11 (para. 136)
|
Fishing allocations and opportunities
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the IOTC develop allocation criteria or any other relevant measures as a matter of urgency through the established Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria (TCAC) process, and that it include consideration of how catches by current non-CPCs would be accounted for. This process should not delay the development and adoption of other management measures, based on the advice of the Scientific Committee.
|
Commission & Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.12 (para. 139)
|
Flag State duties
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that any amendment to or replacement of the IOTC Agreement should include specific provisions on Member's duties as flag States, drawing on the relevant provisions of the UNFSA and take due note of the FAO Guidelines on flag State performance.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.13 (para. 144)
|
Port State measures
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) since port State measures are critical for the control of fishing in the IOTC area and beyond, CPCs should take action to ratify the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures, and the Commission explore possible ways of including ports situated outside the IOTC area known to be receiving IOTC catches in applying port State measures established by the IOTC.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the Commission, through its port State measures training, support the implementation, including support from FAO and other donors, of the requirements of the FAO PSMA and the IOTC Resolution 10/11 [superseded by Resolution 16/11] On port state measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.14 (para. 149)
|
Monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS)
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the IOTC should continue to develop a comprehensive monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) system through the implementation of the measures already in force, and through the adoption of new measures and tools such as a possible catch documentation scheme, noting the process currently being undertaken within the FAO.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) as a matter of priority review the IOTC monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) measures, systems and processes, with the objective of providing advice and guidance on improving the integration of the different tools, identification of gaps and recommendations on how to move forward, taking into consideration the experiences of other RFMOs, and that the review should be used as a basis for strengthening MCS for the purpose of improving the ability of the Commission to deter non-compliance and IUU fishing.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.15 (para. 153)
|
Follow-up on infringements
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the IOTC should establish a scheme of responses to non-compliance in relation to CPCs obligations, and task the Compliance Committee to further develop a structured approach for cases of infringement.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) further develop an online reporting tool to facilitate reporting by CPCs and to support the IOTC Secretariat through the automation of identification of non-compliance.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) reasons for the non-compliance should be identified, including whether it is related to the measure itself, a need for capacity assistance or whether it is wilful or repeated non-compliance, and that the Compliance Committee provide technical advice on obligations where there are high level of CPCs non-compliance.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.16 (para. 159)
|
Cooperative mechanisms to detect and deter non-compliance
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the Commission considers strengthening the intersessional decision making processes in situations where CPCs have not transmitted a response such that a decision can be taken for effective operational cooperative mechanisms and that the Commission encourages the CPCs to be more involved in decision making and for the Commission to collaborate to the greatest extent possible with other RFMOs.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.17 (para. 163)
|
Market-related measures
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the Commission considers strengthening the market related measure (Resolution 10/10 Concerning market related measures) to make it more effective.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the Commission considers to invite key non-CPCs market States that are the main recipient of IOTC catches as observers to its meetings with the aim of entering into cooperative arrangements.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.18 (para. 169)
|
Fishing capacity
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the Commission consider non-compliance with fishing capacity related measures as a priority in the scheme of responses to non-compliance, in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the relevant IOTC species.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.19 (para. 175)
|
Decision-making
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that intersessional processes be utilised (e.g. via formal or informal subsidiary bodies, or through facilitated electronic working groups) such that proposals brought to the Commission have been subject to debate and consideration by all CPCs.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.20 (para. 198)
|
Relationship to Non-Cooperating Non-Members (Non-CPCs)
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the IOTC continue to strengthen its actions towards coastal State non-CPCs to have all such coastal States included under its remit, and that Contracting Parties take diplomatic missions to coastal State non-CPCs with active vessels in the IOTC area of competence.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.21 (para. 204)
|
Cooperation with other RFMOs
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the IOTC should further develop mutual recognition and possible exploration of cross-listings of IUU lists with other RFMOs to combat IUU activities globally.
|
Commission & Compliance Committee
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) The IOTC should develop cooperative mechanisms, such as MoUs, to work in a coordinated manner on issues of common interest, in particular non-target species and an ecosystem approach with other RFMOs especially with SIOFA.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.22 (para. 211)
|
Special requirements of developing States
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the continuation and optimisation of the IOTC Meeting Participation Fund indefinitely as part of the IOTC Regular Budget, and that the MPF is used to support participation of all eligible Contracting Parties in order to create a more balanced attendance to both science and non-science meetings of the Commission.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) the IOTC Secretariat in partnership with development agencies and organisations, should develop a five year regional fisheries capacity development program to ensure coordinated capacity building activities across the region.
|
Secretariat & Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.23 (para. 228)
|
Availability of resources for IOTC activities & Efficiency and cost-effectiveness
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that:
a) the IOTC continue to strengthen its actions towards non-paying Contracting Parties including consideration of diplomatic missions to non-paying Contracting Parties to encourage payment and to explore other mechanisms to recover the outstanding contributions (debt), and collaborate with FAO to identify the difficulties faced in recovering outstanding contributions.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
b) consistent with best practice governance procedures, that the Commission:
i. Amend or replace the IOTC Financial Regulations (1999) as a matter of urgency in order to increase Contracting Parties’ as well as the Secretariat’s control of all the budget elements, including staff costs of the budget, consistent with best practice governance procedures.
ii. A system of cost-recovery should be considered as a possible funding mechanism for new activities and/or ongoing activities.
iii. An annual external financial audit of the organisation be implemented as soon as possible, and include a focus on whether IOTC is efficiently and effectively managing its human and financial resources, including those of the IOTC Secretariat.
iv. Develop guidelines for the acceptance of extra-budgetary funds to undertake elements of the Commission’s Program of Work, or those of its subsidiary bodies.
v. Explore opportunities to improve efficiency concerning financial contributions, including extra-budgetary funds in support of the Commission’s Program of Work, including the possibility of minimising project support costs.
vi. Develop and implement staff development, performance and accountability evaluations and procedures, for inclusion within the IOTC Rules of Procedure (2014).
|
Commission & Standing Committee on Administration and Finance
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
|
c) the Commission, as a matter of urgency, decide whether remaining inside the FAO structure (as an Article XIV body) provides the most suitable means to effectively deliver upon the IOTC Objectives.
|
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|
PRIOTC02.24 (para. 233)
|
FAO
The PRIOTC02 RECOMMENDED that the IOTC would be more appropriate as an independent entity. As such, as a matter of the highest priority, the Commission should decide whether the IOTC should remain within the FAO framework or become a separate legal entity, and as necessary, begin consultations with the FAO on this matter.
|
Commission
|
Pending
|
TBD
|
TBD
|