Aspects of Internal Decision-Making Processes in Intergovernmental Fishery Commissions

The purpose of this paper is to examine certain aspects of the decision-making processes of intergovernmental institutions established for regulating interactions in the exploitation of ocean fisheries. The aspects selected are those denominated as internal constitutional arrangements; embracing, more specifically, the grant of capacity to the group, membership provisions, structure, objectives, and distribution of certain authority functions within the commissions. Very little attention is devoted to the external decision-making process involving the fishery commissions with other participants, including members and other public or private entities which a more comprehensive study would embrace. Fortunately, in light of anticipated developments in world fishery exploitation, responsible agencies and officials recognize the necessity for inquiries similar if not the same as the present, and work on such projects is proceeding.