COTE D'IVOIRE: ICCAT CHAIRMANSHIP AND NEW

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001861 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS ETRD PHSA SENV AORC IV ICCAT IATTC SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: ICCAT CHAIRMANSHIP AND NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTS OF BLUEFIN TUNA, SWORDFISH, AND BIGEYE TUNA REF: A. SECSTATE 199093 ¶B. SECSTATE 202817 ¶1. On October 7, econoff delivered ref A and B demarches to Seraphin Dedi Nadje, Director of Fishery Production, Ministry of Animal Production and Fishery Resources. ¶2. In response to ref A demarche, Mr. Dedi Nadje replied that Cote d'Ivoire would be interested in supporting Dr. Hogarth's candidacy as Commission chair if Dr. Hogarth would encourage more cooperation between Cote d'Ivoire and the United States. For example, Mr. Dedi Nadje cited a study on developing the fishery industry in Cote d'Ivoire that was financed by the European Union. In addition to developing the fishery industry, Cote d'Ivoire would also welcome closer cooperation with the United States in the areas of coastal surveillance capability, research on sustainable development, and statistical training such as estimating stock. Mr. Dedi Nadje closed by expressing the personal view that a change in ICCAT leadership would be good, but he cautioned that Cote d'Ivoire has not yet made a final decision on whom it will support for the chairmanship. He noted that Cote d'Ivoire itself is unlikely to seek a leadership role in ICCAT this year because of the country's ongoing political crisis. ¶3. In response to ref B demarche, Mr. Dedi Nadje explained that currently Cote d'Ivoire exports these types of fish only to the EU, and Cote d'Ivoire is in compliance with EU import requirements. He said that Cote d'Ivoire would take careful note of ref B requirements should it begin exporting these fish to the United States in the future. HOOKS