This is a memo from the ABTA

ICCAT is meeting November 17-27 in Paris with an agenda that is 5 pages long (it is available in the ICCAT web). This year Chris Weiner is attending the Paris meeting for ABTA. Chris has spent the last several weeks preparing with Rich for his important role at ICCAT and we wish him the best of luck.

“Early indications from members of foreign delegations in Paris suggest that the US is, at least positioning, for lower quotas for both the East and West. This despite the fact the latest science indicates the western quotas could conservatively be increased and the eastern quota stabilized around 13,500 metric tons. It is too early to determine whether this US posturing will have any effect on the outcome to be decided ultimately, if necessary, by a vote of the 45 plus ICCAT Contracting Parties.”

Our previous e-mail to you contained an attachment (Letter to US Commissioners) that explained the ABTA ICCAT position. This letter, to our US ICCAT Commissioners is part of our fight to maintain quota and seek changes that reward Western Atlantic fishermen for playing by the rules for so many years. Additionally, (during this ICCAT is meeting) a “Senate Resolution” and “Congressional Letter” will be proposed that re-enforces the ABTA ICCAT position to NOAA and to the US Delegation to ICCAT. We are hopeful that the Senate Resolution passes and the Congressional Letter accumulates enough powerful signatures on its behalf to provide clear instruction to those at ICCAT that lead the US position.

http://www.theabta.com