ENB:07:16
[
Next] .
[
Previous] .
[
Contents]
VESSEL DATA AND INFORMATION:
The Chair's paper identifies a
series of data required on vessels, including: 1. vessel
identification and type; 2. vessel specification, e.g., engine
power, length, tonnage, hold capacity, storage methods, etc.; 3.
navigation and position-fixing aids; 4. communication equipment; 5.
ownership, flag State, home port, etc.; 6. construction details,
vessel age, hull material, etc.; 7. crew size and composition; and
8. type of fishing gear, quantity and specification. The measures
that met with the greatest degree of consensus were those most
related to the catch (1, 2, 5 and 8). The other measures were seen
by some as irrelevant to the harvesting capacity. Some nations
argued that the crew had little, if any, impact on the harvesting
capacity. Others answered that the crew, in fact, could influence
the amount of catch. Navigation and position-fixing aids were also
discarded as more relevant to the application of the SOLAS
Convention than for the sake of data gathering. A recurrent theme
was the necessity to avoid the duplication of data already
gathered. A few delegates pointed out that their national licensing
systems gather more precise information. Some concern was voiced
with regard to vessels fishing without flags or under flags of
convenience and how they should be treated. A proposal was made
that advocated distinguishing between data required at all times
and data required as soon as the vessel enters the fishing ground.