The Intersessional Meeting on the Establishment of a Control and Inspection Scheme was held in Yaizu, Japan 27-29 March 2001. Representatives of 16 Members of the Commission, one State eligible to attend sessions of the Commission and from one intergovernmental organization attended the Session.

The Meeting first examined relevant international instruments, existing Control and Inspection schemes and the outcome of the adoption by COFI of the IPOA on IUU fishing. Three Members then presented proposals for elements such a scheme might address.

The Meeting reached consensus on the general principles a Control and Inspection scheme should contain, but deferred to a later time consideration as to whether such a scheme should be binding on Contracting and Cooperating Parties, pending clarification of legal issues. There was consensus that the principle of flag State responsibilities is an essential element of the Control and Inspection Scheme, as well as on some of the actions that this might encompass. There was full support for the idea of a phased approach to implementation, starting from minimum requirements applicable to all vessels, with a pragmatic and adaptive application of different control tools.

In discussing compliance and enforcement, at-sea inspection did not garner wide support, but it was recognized that at-port inspections were necessary, while taking due care to avoid discrimination or practices that could lead to loss of quality of the catch. There was consensus on the principle that observer programmes constitute a valuable tool for monitoring fisheries even in the absence of any enforcement role and it was agreed that Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are a valuable element to be incorporated in later phases of the Scheme.

There was agreement that a clear procedure to follow in the case of a potential violation needs to be developed, in accordance to international agreements, but more work is needed to define what constitutes a violation and the degrees of severity of potential violations.

There was a consensus that special consideration needs to be given to developing nations and that active cooperation should be established to facilitate the implementation of the Control and Inspection Scheme. There was also agreement concerning the establishment of a Control and Inspection Committee, although the specific terms of reference will be formulated in the future.

In relation to Other Matters, Japan introduced a revised version of the draft Resolution Concerning an Action Plan to Ensure the Effectiveness of the Conservation Program for Bigeye Tuna in the IOTC Area of Competence, that had been presented at the Fifth Session of the IOTC. This version was revised after further consultation with other contracting parties. The Meeting agreed that the action plan has merit but should be deferred for further consideration.