The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) on behalf of the South African Government, will be hosting the 23rd Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, from 18 to 25 November 2013.
South Africa is only hosting the Commission for the first time in ICCAT’s history. This was as a result of a mandate given to us by member states back in 2011 to host this year’s gathering.
South Africa’s strategic intent of participating in and hosting the annual ICCAT meeting is to ensure long-term fishing access in the Atlantic Ocean for our South African fishing companies in the tuna pole fishery and the developing large pelagic fishery. Access to the Atlantic Ocean is essential for encouraging future investment in the tuna/swordfish fisheries to create the enabling environment for these fisheries to develop.
DAFF’s agenda at this Commission meeting will be to add weight to South Africa’s negotiating position on the adequate allocations of key species because tuna fisheries in the Atlantic offers opportunities in our fisheries for development and job creation and, these species are generally not yet fully exploited.
Venue of the conference:
Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Walter Sisulu Avenue, Foreshore, Cape Town
Requirements for media participation:
To attend the conference, all the media representatives are required to register no later than 1 November 2013. The official application form can be downloaded from http://www.iccat2013.co.za.
Media are welcome to the open session on the opening day, Monday 18 November 2013 and thereafter, for the duration of the conference, members of the media are free to conduct interviews between sessions.
For more information about ICCAT as well as for additional information on the meeting and registration, please see the ICCAT web site at http://www.iccat.int/en/meetingscurrent.htm
All journalists are encouraged to start the accreditation process as soon as possible.
For further information visit the above website.
Enquiries:
Carol Moses
Tel: 021 402 3448
E-mail: CarolMO@daff.gov.za
