Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06TAIPEI2953 | 2006-08-25 02:34:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei |
VZCZCXRO0562 RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHKN DE RUEHIN #2953/01 2370234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 250234Z AUG 06 FM AIT TAIPEI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1825 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5585 RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0005 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8047 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 7972 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1377 RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 9516 RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0337 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 5343 RUCPDC/NOAA NMFS WASHINGTON DC |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 002953 |
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A U.S. fisheries delegation visited Taiwan August 9 to discuss Taiwan fishing fleet overcapacity, ship-boarding policy in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and Taiwan membership in fisheries organizations. The U.S. called on Taiwan to reduce its fishing fleet capacity in WCPFC waters by at least eight boats and offered to have U.S. industry purchase some of the boats. Taiwan will review the proposal and reply at a later date. End Summary. 2. (SBU) OES/OMC Director William Gibbons-Fly led a team composed of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) International Affairs Director Rebecca Lent, NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Administrator William Robinson, United States Tuna Foundation representative David Burney and Bumblebee Seafood President Chris Lischewski to Taiwan August 9 to meet with Taiwan's Fisheries Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. TAIWAN IN VIOLATION OF WCPFC CAPACITY RESOLUTION -------------------------- -------------------------- 3. (SBU) OES/OMC Director Gibbons-Fly noted that the TECRO/AIT MOU on fisheries has worked well so far, but expressed concern that Taiwan had still not fulfilled its obligations under the 1999 WCPFC resolution requiring a reduction in fishing capacity by Taiwan. He said Taiwan had 23 vessels (purse seiner type) in excess of the limit that continued to fish in WCPFC waters. He said this situation would make it difficult for the U.S. to support Taiwan membership (or observership) in newly established fishery organizations. Taiwan Fishery Agency Director Shieh Dah-wen disputed the finding that Taiwan was over the limit. He claimed that six of the 23 vessels identified by WCPFC had been built before 1999 and so any limit would only apply to the remaining 18 vessels. Shieh reported the results from Taiwan's latest round of fisheries talks with Japan. He said Japan had concluded that because Taiwan had reduced its long liner fleet by 10 vessels, and another eight licenses had been cancelled, Taiwan was not in violation of the WCPFC resolution. Gibbons-Fly replied that the vessels listed as having their licenses revoked were still operating under PRC ownership and thus did not contribute to reducing capacity. He added that the 10 long-liners were different from purse seiners and could not be mixed into the count. US INDUSTRY WILL BUY USED BOATS TO HELP TAIWAN -------------------------- -------------------------- 4. (SBU) To help Taiwan reduce its capacity and enhance U.S. capacity in the WCPFC area, Gibbons-Fly proposed that U.S. industry could consider purchasing some of the vessels in Taiwan's fleet. However, Taiwan noted that according to its regulations, the buying party has to either report a boat sunk or scrapped before Taiwan can sell a boat to them. Taiwan was also concerned that given the recent ICCAT sanctions, it might be criticized for selling additional vessels to the U.S. 5. (SBU) Taiwan fisheries agency Director Shieh Dah-wen promised to review the offer and consult with his industry. He said he supported efforts to reduce capacity, but shipbuilders were unhappy about their current inability to build new ships. U.S. tuna interests, represented by Bumblebee tuna, said they wished to buy new boats but were willing to compromise to help Taiwan meet its requirements under the WCPFC. BOARDING LANGUAGE/INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS -------------------------- 6. (SBU) In a separate meeting with MOFA International Organizations Director John Chen said the language used in the ship-boarding procedures by the WCPFC singled out Taiwan for special treatment and this was not acceptable. Gibbons-Fly agreed that members of WCPFC should be TAIPEI 00002953 002 OF 002 treated equally. Chen then mentioned that Taiwan sought to become an observer in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCMLAR) and had submitted an application last year. Taiwan received a reply that the timing was not right. This year Taiwan again submitted a request but fears the PRC will veto the application. Similarly, Taiwan wished to pursue membership in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) and hoped for U.S. support. Gibbons-Fly said U.S. support would be contingent on Taiwan's demonstrated willingness to abide by the rules and reduce excess fishing capacity. COMMENT -------------------------- 7. SBU) Taiwan Fisheries Agency apparently believes it has fulfilled its obligation to reduce its fishing fleet capacity in WCPFC waters. AIT/T will encourage Taiwan officials to seriously consider the proposal for the U.S. tuna industry to purchase up to eight purse seiners. END COMMENT. YOUNG |