TUNA COMMISSION CONVENES IN MUSCAT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000429

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, OES
COMMERCE FOR ITA THOFFMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS ECON PREL MU
SUBJECT: TUNA COMMISSION CONVENES IN MUSCAT



1. On June 7, Commercial Assistant attended the opening of
the 12th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
in Muscat. The conference aims to promote cooperation among
IOTC members to ensure, through appropriate management, the
conservation and optimum utilization of tuna stocks covered
under the IOTC Agreement.


2. In his opening remarks to conference participants, Dr.
Hamad bin Saeed al-Oufi, Under Secretary for the Ministry of
Fisheries Wealth, emphasized the Sultanate's efforts to
preserve its coastal-line tuna stock through the use of
modern technologies. He added that Oman's hosting of the
12th session of the IOTC reinforced the country's commitment
to managing its fisheries in the face of growing threats.


3. Alejandro Anganuzzi, the Executive Secretary of the IOTC,
highlighted the current year as one of intensive work due to
increased demand for tuna and the growth in certified
markets. With such pressure on fishing stocks, Anganuzzi
urged IOTC members to work together over the long-term to
properly manage available stocks through regulated catches.
Rondolph Payet, IOTC Chairman, noted that while 2007 was a
great year for the tuna industry, certain issues, such as the
increase in fish prices, the sustainability of current
stocks, and the ability of members to abide by commitments
not to over-fish, posed potential threats to the continued
prosperity of the industry.


4. Comment: Oman's hosting of the IOTC conference comes in
the wake of recent government efforts to grow the fishing
industry. Last year, it moved to carve out from the Ministry
of Agriculture a stand-alone ministry to promote fishing. In
addition, the Omani Center for Investment Promotion and
Export Development (OCIPED) sponsored a delegation of five
Omani companies to the Boston Seafood Exposition in March.
With the price of fish rising over 40% in the Sultanate over
the past year, the government views this industry not only as
a revenue generator, but also as a means to employ Omani
youth. End Comment.
GRAPPO