ACAP Engagement Strategy with Regional Fisheries Management and Conservation Organisations

Great numbers of ACAP-listed species continue to be bycaught by fisheries managed by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). Therefore, engagement with RFMOs has been -and continues to be- a paramount component of ACAP ́s strategy to mitigate and reduce the incidental mortality of seabirds. Following discussion at SBWG11, the Working Group agreed that a clear and updatable summary of developments and a clear engagement strategy for RFMOs were needed. Recognising that MoP7 had given great priority to successful engagement with RFMOs, AC13 endorsed the establishment of an intersessional correspondence group (ICG) to undertake a review of the RFMO Engagement Strategy. Among its tasks, the ICG would review the aims of the current RFMO engagement strategy and the theme-based format of the strategy; and develop an updated list of priority actions. A revised ACAP Engagement Strategy with Regional Fisheries Management and Conservation Organisations was drafted by the ICG, which is presented in ANNEX 1. The aims of the Strategy are: 1. Strengthen implementation of measures by regional fisheries management and conservation organisations to prevent, minimize or reduce the incidental taking of seabirds. 2. Strengthen implementation of measures by regional fisheries management and conservation organisations that ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of fishing operations to prevent, minimize or reduce the incidental taking of seabirds. 3. Ensure the ongoing review by regional fisheries management and conservation organisations of measures to prevent, minimize or reduce the incidental taking of seabirds to update such measures in the light of changes in best practice.
The document also establishes the Actions to be taken, the Focus of engagement (three categories of international organisations), the Basis for engaging with regional fisheries management and conservation organisations, and a proposal for Developing individualised approaches with target outcomes for each regional fisheries management and conservation organisation. The document proposes that the engagement strategy be reviewed at periods of no more than every three years.

RECOMMENDATIONS The Advisory Committee is asked to: 1. review the ACAP Engagement Strategy with Regional Fisheries Management and Conservation Organisations detailed in ANNEX 1; 2. review the template for the individualised approaches describing the target outcomes for each regional fisheries management and conservation organisation; 3. endorse a revised ACAP Engagement Strategy with Regional Fisheries Management and Conservation Organisations.