SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERY - RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT

The signing of the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna by Australia, New Zealand and Japan in May 1993 represents an im portant milestone in the development of management arrangements in the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) fishery. This convention has emerged from a voluntary management arrangement regulating catch of SBT between th e three signatories. This paper provides an analysis of the SBT Conven tion and details elements of the Australia-Japan relationship which ha ve been crucial in the development of this international convention. A lthough signed by the three countries the SBT convention is open to ot her parties, with the original signatories keen to encourage all State s engaged in the fishery to join and thus help ensure effective and su stainable management of SBT into the future. The SBT Convention reflec ts increased concern over the management of highly migratory species a nd indicates increased commitment from Japan to join management arrang ements concerned with these species.