France’s Fleet Development Plan (FDP) submitted to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) shows that the country intends to increase its tuna fishing capacity from 4.638 GT (gross tonnage) to 23.430 GT in the Indian Ocean by 2015. France intends to add one new purse seiner of 2.319 GT each year, during 2009-2012, and fifteen small tuna vessels of 1.286 GT capacity (all combined) in 2015. In addition, the country has indicated that seven existing longliners, currently configured to target toothfish, will be converted to fish for tunas in the future. No specific time-line for the introduction of these vessels has been provided. Nevertheless, this will contribute to an increase in capacity of 8.230 GT.
Besides France, only Malaysia and Mauritius have submitted FDPs to the IOTC. Malaysia wants to increase its fleet to 112 vessels by 2012, and Mauritius intends to increase its fleet to 20 vessels with capacity varying from 200 to 800 GT each by 2015.
Source
Press article, ATUNA, 23 June 2010

http://www.atuna.com/

The June Issue of the WIOMSA Newsbrief is out and contains ten very interesting articles written by different experts. The articles in the Issue are:
1. New MASMA Projects approved for funding
2. Migrants Fishers Project Wrap Up Workshop – By Beatrice Crona
3. Brains and hard work: the Chwaka Book synthesis production! – By Maricela de la Torre-Castro
4. Partnerships are vital for management of coastal and marine ecosystems! – By Nyawira Muthiga & Nirmal Shah
5. A Tanzanian First! Bivalve hatchery installed at IMS. By Narriman Jiddawi
6. Marine Research Grant (MARG) Programme January – June 2010
7. Several countries elect their country coordinators
8. New Editor in Chief and Editorial Board appointed
9. Special Issue of the Ocean and Coastal Management is out!
10. Kizzie bids WIOMSA Secretariat farewell
Read the Newsbrief from http://www.wiomsa.org/filearchive/3/3584/WIOMSA%20Newsbrief%20June%202010_webver.pdf OR http://issuu.com/wiomsa/docs/wiomsa_newsbrief_vol_15_no_2_2010 (High resolution)

Prospects of a compromise deal between whaling countries and their opponents appear to be receding.

Two days of private talks at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting here yielded little progress.

Delegates told BBC News there were even suggestions that the “peace talks” should be extended into a third year.

Read the full article from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10386224.stm

A deal that could regulate whaling for the next 10 years is up for debate at the International Whaling Commission’s meeting opening in Agadir, Morocco.

The proposal would see Iceland, Japan and Norway given annual quotas with hunts more tightly scrutinised, while international trade could be banned.

Some anti-whaling countries and some conservation groups support the idea, while others are implacably opposed.

Few observers are prepared to predict whether the deal will be approved.

The week-long annual meeting in Agadir marks the final stage in a two-year US-led process that has seen bitter foes such as Australia and Japan working together in attempts to find areas of compromise.

Read the full story from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10362015.stm

Japan used aid money to persuade developing countries to support its whaling, according to a whistleblower who has spoken to the BBC.

The man, who went first to Greenpeace, worked for a private company which implemented development projects on behalf of the Japanese government.
His allegations come on the eve of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Morocco.

For 18 years Mr A – as he wants to be known – travelled the developing world for a private Japanese company.

His job was to arrange projects such as new harbours that would be paid for by Japan’s overseas aid budget.

Read the full story from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10358046.stm

An assessment of EU governance in its partnership with ACP states, published by the United Nations University, discusses a variety of EU governance mechanisms, including Fisheries Partnership Agreements. The paper explains that, during a fact finding mission by an ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) delegation to the Seychelles in 2008, certain problems were raised in relation to the EU-Seychelles FPA: ‘Non-State Actors pointed out that the EU has been paying the same licensing fee for tuna for some 30 years, despite much higher market prices for tuna…. there is also evidence that indicates that EU fishing vessels have vastly under-reported, and thus under-paid, their catches….Furthermore the report of the fact-finding mission states that the Seychelles and surrounding countries requested the EC to consider a regional fisheries agreement, to replace the bilateral agreements currently in place. However, according to the report, this was turned down by the European Commission…. the EC also rejected repeated requests from the Pacific for a regional fisheries agreement’.
On the Pacific situation, the paper quotes an Oxfam International expert, saying that: ‘The EU’s pursuit of bilateral fisheries agreements is inconsistent with their stated aim of promoting regional cooperation in the Pacific and tends to divide the Pacific over the benefits from one of the region’s key resources.’
The paper estimates that bilateral fisheries agreements pose a threat not only to cooperation, integration and political stability at regional level but also to long-term, sustainable economic development. Failure to solidify a regional approach to manage such important finite resources could easily lead to every country grabbing – or selling the rights to grab – as much as they can while the supply lasts. This would quickly result in the total depletion of the fish populations, with a devastating effect on the Pacific economy, way of life, and the health of its people.
The study concludes ‘There is considerable evidence that some policies pursued by the EU are not conducive to the promotion of sustainable development, the alleviation of poverty, and the gradual integration of ACP States into the world economy
Sources
United Nations University – Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), Working Papers, W-2010/1, An Assessment of EU Governance in its partnership with ACP States, April 2010

http://www.cris.unu.edu/fileadmin/workingpapers/W-2010-1_-_new_version.pdf

A 30 per cent salary hike for Ugandan scientists and US$20 million for Tanzanian research were among the science highlights in the two countries’ national budgets for 2010/11.

The spending pledges — unveiled on 10 June 2010 — go some way to fulfilling promises made recently by the East African countries’ presidents to improve conditions for science and technology.

Read the full article from: http://www.scidev.net/en/news/big-spending-on-science-promised-for-east-africa.html

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) in partnership with the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island (CRC) is pleased to announce the 2nd offering of Level 1~Marine Field Operations Certification for Marine Protected Area Professionals to be held in Malindi, Kenya from the 19-24, September 2010. The language of assessment will be English.

The WIO-COMPAS programme assesses and certifies MPA Professionals in the WIO region based on recognised standards of excellence. This is not a training course but a certification programme based on proven performance on the job. Achieving certification shows that an individual has reached a high level of performance and skills in a specific set of competences. These competences are based on practical experience and application. After achieving certification and being given the title of MPA PRO, individuals agree to adhere to a set of professional standards of conduct or code of ethics. Therefore, this programme will admit only those who already meet a certain level of knowledge, skills and performance standards within core competence areas.

How do I apply?

• Complete the application form available from our website www.wiomsa.org/wio-compas, or directly from Arthur Tuda tudahke@yahoo.com (or call him on + 254 -722283769)
• Prepare a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Copies of all relevant education and training qualifications, including certificates, diplomas and other confirmation documents must be submitted at the Assessment Event

Completed applications, together with the CV can be sent via mail or email to the L102 Logistics Coordinator, Arthur Tuda

Download the Call for applications (http://www.wiomsa.org/filearchive/3/3581/Call%20for%20Application_L102_Kenya.pdf)and application form (http://www.wiomsa.org/filearchive/3/3582/L102_Application%20Form_Kenya.pdf)

UNESCO is inviting application for the Deputy Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Deputy Executive Secretary will be responsible for managing daily secretariat functions, ensuring a coherent approach to programmes and their deliveries, and in this process allowing the ADG leeway to perform the representation function on behalf of IOC and in so doing become more strategic in his/her overall function.

Main responsibilities
Under the authority of the Assistant Director-General and Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (ADG/IOC), the incumbent will:
- ensure the overall coordination of planning, execution and evaluation of the programmes of the IOC so that they can deliver expected results as laid down in the biennial programme and budget. In this position, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting regular meetings with Heads of Section and Units, as well as with other staff as required. Periodic analyses of the outcomes of missions will be conducted to garner strategic information and direction and brief the ADG of progress and impact in the field;
- be responsible for ensuring that responses to UNESCO and IOC governing bodies’ requests are timely and pertinent. He/she will coordinate with IOC staff, contributing to the functions and objectives of UNESCO and its IOC in the framework of the approved UNESCO and IOC Medium-Term Strategies (C/4) and Biennial Programme and Budget (C/5);
- harmonize the training efforts of the global programmes of IOC, ensuring that they deliver sustainable results by structuring them along the approved principles of capacity-development of IOC and of the United Nations. In this function, it is mandatory to account for IOC contributions to UNDF/CAF processes and, in particular, initiatives of the One-UN effort;
- organize and run meetings of the principal Subsidiary Bodies of IOC, namely the Executive Council and the Assembly. The
incumbent may also be called upon by the Executive Secretary to conduct/attend special events such as major conferences,
meetings of the United Nations system and other international, governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations active in the field of oceanography and its governance;
- coordinate programme activities decentralized to the IOC subcommissions, regional committees and field offices; act as focal point for promoting and tracking coordination and communication between Headquarters and regions; act as focal point for the major UNESCO priorities in Africa and gender equality.
- provide leadership for the mobilization of extrabudgetary resources and operational support to implement projects and activities undertaken jointly with external partners.

How to apply

Candidates wishing to apply for this post should do so through the following website: http://www.unesco.org/employment

Applications should reach UNESCO before 12 August 2010. Please quote post number “SC-300”.