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CONSIDERING that the 1996 SCRS has identified Atlantic bluefin tuna and north Atlantic swordfish stocks as over-exploited;
RECOGNIZING that compliance with catch limits is essential to conservation of Atlantic bluefin tuna and north Atlantic swordfish.
THEREFORE, with respect to the harvest of bluefin tuna in the western Atlantic, the eastern Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea, and swordfish in the north Atlantic,
1At the 1997 Commission Meeting, and each year thereafter, each Contracting Party whose landings, as provided in the Task I data, exceeded its catch limit for that species in the previous fishing year will explain to the Compliance Committee how the over-harvest occurred, and the actions already taken, or to be taken to prevent further over-harvest;
2If, in the applicable management period, beginning in 1997, and each subsequent management period, any Contracting Party exceeds its catch limit, its catch limit will be reduced in the next subsequent management period by 100% of the amount in excess of such catch limit; and ICCAT may authorize other appropriate actions; and
3Notwithstanding paragraph (2), if any Contracting Party exceeds its catch limit during any two consecutive management periods, the Commission will recommend appropriate measures, which may include, but are not limited to, reduction in the catch limit equal to a minimum of 125% of the excess harvest, and, if necessary, trade restrictive measures. Any trade measures under this paragraph will be import restrictions on the subject species and consistent with each Party's international obligations. The trade measures will be of such duration and under such conditions as the Commission may determine.