Starting today, the European Commission will kick off a week of negotiations on the draft free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Thailand. These discussions, interrupted for several years and relaunched a couple of years ago, are causing concern in the European tuna industry. Europêche, the leading representative body for the fishing industry in Europe, calls for the exclusion of tuna products from this agreement.

The Side Event will adress these issues trough three short presentations, followed by a question-answer session. Attendees will also be able to discuss these issues with the presentrs ans sponsors during the event while enjoying refreshments and snacks. The presentations will cover the following topics:

Remarks on the importance of MCS for ICCAT fishieries

Stefaan Depypere, ICCAT Chair.

The GEF/ABNJ Tuna Project's MCS activities.

Alejandro Anganuzzi, Common Oceans/ABNJ Tuna Project

Incresing Transparency in fishing agreements.

Julio Morón-Ayala, LDAC

Opportunities for improved data collection and mornitoring through electronic reporting and electronic monitoring.

Victor Restrepo, ISSF.