Brochure for Developing Minimum Terms and Conditions for granting Tuna fishing access in the South West Indian Ocean

The approach taken by South West India Ocean states with regard to foreign fishing activities in their waters differs considerably, often dependent on natural conditions (species abundance), but also historical, political as well as economic strengths and opportunities. Nevertheless, tuna being shared migratory stock, states also have common interests in terms of:

a)  Securing long-term social and economic benefits through a coherent, coordinated and sustainable tuna fisheries management framework;

b)  Reducing costs and increasing benefits by joining efforts to better control and manage access to fisheries by foreign fleets.

The proposed Minimum Terms and Conditions for Fisheries Access provide a common access regime based on a harmonised negotiating position (without undermining national sovereignty). The system encompasses a set of common and agreed principles governing the access of foreign fleets, including agreed technical conditions for access, mechanisms for exchange of information, and mechanisms for agreeing on common or harmonised positions.  This brochure provides a brief overview offers various perspectives as to the importance of Minimum Terms and Conditions in securing meagre fisheries resources in the South West Indian Ocean region.

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