PURPOSE: to conclude, on
behalf of the European Union, the Exchange of Letters to obtain
membership of the Extended Commission of the Convention for the
Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.
PROPOSED ACT: Council
Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given
its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: the
Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) is
a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) responsible for
the management of Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBF) throughout its
distribution. The Convention for the Conservation of Southern
Bluefin tuna entered into force on 20 May 1994.
The European Union has
been a Cooperating Non-Member of the CCSBT Extended Commission
since 2006. Cooperating Non-Members participate fully in the
activities of the CCSBT but are not entitled to vote.
On 1 December 2009, the
Council authorised the European Commission to seek, on behalf of
the European Union, an amendment to the rules of Convention for the
Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna in order for the European
Union to become a Contracting Party.
During its 20th meeting
in October 2013, the CCSBT amended the Resolution governing the
Extended Commission to allow the European Union to become a Member
of the CCSBT Extended Commission through Exchange of
Letters.
Since vessels flying the
flags of Member States of the Union fish resources in the area of
distribution of Southern Bluefin Tuna, it is in the Union's
interest to play an effective role in the implementation of the
Convention.
CONTENT: this proposal
seeks to conclude the legal process launched with the signature and
provisional application of the Exchange of Letters to obtain
membership of the CCSBT Extended Commission and Extended Scientific
Committee after having obtained the consent from the European
Parliament.
Upon completion of this
procedure, the EU would be entitled to membership and vote in the
CCSBT Extended Commission and Extended Scientific
Committee.