 Turkey Hunt-ABTA Bluefin re-allocation
Turkey hunt- ABTA Bluefin Re-Allocation
Here is what our international affairs people from NMFS say about the recent issue brought out by Greenpeace. You may notice that this issue revolves around Turkeys perception that the allocation table in the MED. is unfair. We face the same issue at ICCAT 2010, other countries are looking for Western Quota because they feel the Western allocation table is unfair. Ralph
Rebecca asked me to get back to you with an update concerning Turkey's objection to quota allocation table in recommendation 08-05 (EBFT plan). She contacted the Turkish Commissioner to seek additional information on this action.
As you may know, Turkey indicated during the last Panel 2 session in
November 2008 their intention to maintain the objection they lodged in 2007 against the quota allocation table annexed to Rec 06-05. They have repeatedly argued that the allocation arrangement is unfair and inequitable, and they cannot accept it as a legally binding decision under the Convention. Turkey did, however, voluntarily apply the quota limit specified in rec 06-05 to their fishery in 2007 and 2008. Turkey has assured us that this continues to be their intention. They assured us that they do not have any intention of declaring a unilateral quota in excess of the limit included in rec 08-05. They highlighted that their circulated Implementation Plan for Rec 08-05 states that "Turkey will apply and comply with all of the provisions of Rec.08-05 (except 100% observer coverage due to time and legal constraints) during 2009 catch season." Those at the Nov ICCAT meeting will probably also recall that Turkey indicated on the floor that they needed more time to implement the observer program requirements.
In addition to the above, Turkey has told us that they had reported to ICCAT that they had reduced their BFT fleet capacity from 98 vessels to 61 vessels-- a 36% reduction. Further, they report that they recently made additional reductions so that the fleet stands at 57 vessels. This corresponds to 40% reduction in the first year of the 2008 plan (98 to 57 vessels). They intend to notify ICCAT of this additional reduction within couple of days.
We appreciate your concern about this important matter, and we will
certainly continue to track this and other EBFT issues. In the meantime, we hope this helps clarify the situation a bit, and please let me know if you have any questions. | 
