Strides forward were made by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission for the protection of the fish stocks in the Indian Ocean, such as tropical tunas and shark stocks. The parties agreed among others on an enhanced system for control and compliance, on introducing a time/area closure and on forbidding sharks from the thresher family from being taken or kept on board. These measures, probably the most far reaching undertaken by IOTC since its conception in 1996, all stemmed from EU's proposal and were made possible thanks to the EU's progressive leadership and close cooperation with all IOTC Members, particularly coastal developing states.

Source: European Comission

(09/03/10)