Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna: membership of the Extended Commission

2015/0036(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) concerning the membership of the Union in the Extended Commission of the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Union is competent to adopt measures for the conservation of marine biological resources under the common fisheries policy and to enter into agreements with third countries and international organisations.

On 1 December 2009, the Council authorised the European Commission to seek, on behalf of the Union, an amendment to the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna in order for the Union to become a Contracting Party.

During its 20th meeting in October 2013, the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna amended the Resolution to establish an Extended Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT Extended Commission) to allow the Union to become a Member of the CCSBT Extended Commission through an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters.

On 20 April 2015, the Council authorised the signature and provisional application of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) concerning the membership of the Union in the Extended Commission of the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is invited to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) concerning the membership of the Union in the Extended Commission of the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

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.

Membership of the CCSBT Extended Commission will also promote consistency in the Union's conservation approach across oceans and reinforce its commitment to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources globally.