Agreement for the Establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Title (French): Accord portant création de la Commission des thons de l'Océan indien
Title (Spanish): Acuerdo para la creacion de la Comision del atun para el Oceano Indico
Title (Other): Übereinkommen zur Einsetzung der Thunfischkommission für den Indischen Ozean
Place of adoption: Rome
Depository: FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
Language: English, French
Entry into force: Mar 27, 1996
Subject: Fisheries

Abstract: Objectives: To establish the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. Summary of provisions: The Commission is established within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The species and the area covered by the Agreement are defined in articles II and III. Parties agree that the objective of the Commission is to promote co-operation among its members with a view to ensuring the conservation and optimum utilisation of stocks and encouraging sustainable development in fisheries based on such stocks (art. V). The Commission is to, inter alia, adopt conservation and management measures, promote research and development activities, and transmit to the Director-General of the FAO reports on its activities and programmes. Article IX sets voting procedures concerning the adoption of binding measures and the right of States to object thereto. Parties further undertake to, inter alia, implement the Agreement and conservation and management measures which become binding on them (art. X), and transmit to the Commission an annual statement thereon. Institutional mechanisms: The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission is established, with a permanent Scientific Committee (art. XII).
Link to abstract: TRE001227AB.pdf
Full text: English French Spanish
Website: www.iotc.org
www.fao.org

Country/Territory/Participant

Countries	Entry into force	Ratification *	Withdrawal
Australia	Nov 13, 1996	Nov 13, 1996 [3]	-
Bangladesh	Apr 24, 2018	Apr 24, 2018 [3]	-
Belize	May 16, 2007	May 16, 2007 [3]	Dec 31, 2016
China	Oct 14, 1998	Oct 14, 1998 [3]	-
Comoros	Aug 14, 2001	Aug 14, 2001 [3]	-
Eritrea	Mar 27, 1996	Aug 9, 1994 [3]	-
European Union	Mar 27, 1996	Oct 27, 1995 [3]	-
France	Dec 3, 1996	Dec 3, 1996 [3]	-
Guinea	Jan 31, 2005	Jan 31, 2005 [3]	Dec 31, 2017
India	Mar 27, 1996	Mar 13, 1995 [3]	-
Indonesia	Jun 20, 2007	Jun 20, 2007 [3]	-
Iran, Islamic Republic of	Jan 28, 2002	Jan 28, 2002 [3]	-
Japan	Jun 26, 1996	Jun 26, 1996 [3]	-
Kenya	Sep 29, 2004	Sep 29, 2004 [3]	-
Korea, Republic of	Mar 27, 1996	Mar 27, 1996 [3]	-
Madagascar	Mar 27, 1996	Jan 10, 1996 [3]	-
Malaysia	May 22, 1998	May 22, 1998 [3]	-
Maldives	Jul 13, 2011	Jul 13, 2011 [3]	-
Mauritius	Mar 27, 1996	Dec 27, 1994 [3]	-
Mozambique	Feb 13, 2012	Feb 13, 2012 [3]	-
Oman	Apr 5, 2000	Apr 5, 2000 [3]	-
Pakistan	Mar 27, 1996	Apr 27, 1995 [3]	-
Philippines	Jan 9, 2004	Jan 9, 2004 [3]	-
Seychelles	Mar 27, 1996	Jul 26, 1995 [3]	-
Sierra Leone	Jul 1, 2008	Jul 1, 2008 [3]	-
Somalia	May 22, 2014	May 22, 2014 [3]	-
South Africa	Feb 16, 2016	Feb 16, 2016 [3]	-
Sri Lanka	Mar 27, 1996	Jun 13, 1994 [3]	-
Sudan	Dec 3, 1996	Dec 3, 1996 [3]	-
Tanzania, Un. Rep. of	Apr 18, 2007	Apr 18, 2007 [3]	-
Thailand	Mar 17, 1997	Mar 17, 1997 [3]	-
United Kingdom	Mar 27, 1996	Mar 31, 1995 [3]	-
Vanuatu	Oct 25, 2002	Oct 25, 2002 [3]	Dec 31, 2015
Yemen	Jul 20, 2012	Jul 20, 2012 [3]	-

* [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature

Cites: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Treaty | Multilateral | Montego Bay | Dec 10, 1982

Keyword: Alien species, Inspection, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Management/conservation, Deep sea bed, Islands, Bycatch, Offences/penalties, Enforcement/compliance, Risk assessment/management, Fishing licence fee, Authorization/permit, Fishery management and conservation, Total allowable catch, Marine fisheries, Liability/compensation, Pollution control, Future generations, Marine pollution, Dispute settlement, Monitoring, Stock enhancement/repopulation, Maritime zone, Policy/planning, Marine pollution (dumping at sea), Size, Contract/agreement, Access right, Education, Data collection/reporting, Research, EIA, International organization, Long-range air pollution, Marine mammals, Mining, Business/industry/corporations, High seas, Sovereignty, Marine pollution (land-based sources), Migratory species, Vessel ownership, Court/tribunal, Marine resources management, Jurisdictional competence, Fishing licence, Harbour, Early warning system/emergency intervention system, Fishing gear/fishing method, Navigation, Registration, Continental shelf, Marine pollution (ship-based sources), Exploration, Seasons, International relations/cooperation, Technology transfer, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone, Sustainable use

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-000753)