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INDO-PACIFIC FISHERY COMMISSION (IPFC)
Establishment
Established under an agreement drafted in Baguio, Philippines, in February 1948, and which came into force on 9 November 1948. FAO Conference at its Fourth Session (1948) approved the establishment of this body under the title "Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council" (IPFC), under Article XIV of the FAO
Constitution.
The Agreement was amended by the IPFC at its Ninth Session (1961) in order to bring it into line with the principles regarding such bodies adopted by FAO Conference at its Ninth Session (1957, Resolutions 43/57 and 46/57). The amendments were approved by FAO Conference at its Eleventh Session (1961, Resolution 27/61).
At its Seventeenth Session (1976), the IPFC changed its title to that above and further amended the Agreement in order to change the functions of the body in such a way as to enable it to take action directly related to fishery management and development in its area of responsibility. The amendments were approved by FAO Council at its Seventy-second Session (1977, Resolution 4/72).
Area of Competence
Indo-Pacific area
Terms of Reference
To promote the full and proper utilization of living aquatic resources by the development and management of fishing and culture operations and by the development of related processing and marketing activities in conformity with the objectives of its members. Article IV of the agreement lists the functions as follows:
(a) to keep under review the state of these resources and of the
industries based on them;
(b) to formulate and recommend measures and to initiate and carry out
programmes or projects to:
(i)
create new fisheries and increase the production, efficiency and productivity of existing fisheries;
(11)
conserve and manage resources;
(c)
(d)
(e)
(iii) protect resources from pollution;
to keep under review the economic and social aspects of fishing and aquaculture industries and recommend measures aimed at improving the living and working conditions of fishermen and other workers in these industries and otherwise at improving the contribution of each fishery to social and economic goals;
to encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake training and extension activities in all aspects of fisheries;
to encourage, recommend, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake research and development activities;