Conference of the Parties of the IAC

The Inter-American Sea Turtle Convention conducts business and discusses potential protective measures during biennial summits of the party nations. These meetings are referred to as a Conference of the Parties, five of which have been held.

Conferences of the Parties provide a forum for each member nation to discuss and collaboratively work with measures for sea turtle conservation.  Matters concerning organization and structure of the convention are established, research and technology is shared between parties, public awareness is promoted, and recommendations or decisions of the convention are submitted to all parties.

In tandem to discussion and interaction between member parties, these conferences also provide a means to coordinate with non-governmental international organizations and to allow observers to witness and monitor the proceedings of the convention.

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Attendants of a Conference of the Parties first and foremost include delegations from the contracting parties, who are referred to as participants. According to a resolution adopted by the Conference of the Parties, international organizations or interested nations may attend as observers. Private individuals or organizations, scientific institutions, or non-governmental organizations may also be accredited as observers if they have expertise or knowledge in the matter of sea turtles.

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The first five Conferences of the Parties have laid solid foundations for IAC. From the first conference’s establishment of procedural rules and bylaws and creation of the convention’s structure to the fifth conference, which adopted an agreement with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to mitigate accidental turtle capture, the conferences have insured the stability and strength of the convention.

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This year, from June 26-28, the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) will be held on Isla Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The Conference agenda will contain reports from the two committees, the Secretariat, and others addressing sea turtle status (especially the East Pacific Leatherback) and update reports. Beyond routine operations, the primary goals of this conference are the following: to discuss issues related to the legal personality of the Secretariat; to determine a budget for subsequent years; to review exceptions for capture prohibitions as submitted by Guatemala and Panama; and finally to determine a permanent location for the Secretariat. With prospects from throughout the American continents, establishing a well suited home for the Secretariat will be foremost in this year’s discussion.

 

Picture Credits (in order):

  • ·Shea, Douglas. Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). n.d. of photograph. “Inter-American Convention for

the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.” Office of Protected Resources. NOAA Fisheries. 2 April 2013. Web. JPEG File.

  • ·Scharer, Michelle T. Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). n.d. of photograph. “Inter-American

Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.” Office of Protected Resources. NOAA Fisheries. 2 April 2013. Web. JPEG File.

  • ·Jensen, Michael P. Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). n.d. of photograph. “Inter-American

Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles.” Office of Protected Resources. NOAA Fisheries. 2 April 2013. Web. JPEG File.