International Co-operative Fisheries Organisation (ICFO)

A sectoral organisation of the ICA

www.ica.coop/icfo

Rules of International Co-operative Fisheries Organisation (ICFO)

(Revised on 11 June 1996 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia at the ICFO Plenary Meeting)

The ICFO Rules are currently being revised in order to be consistent with the ICA Statutes and Bye- Laws admended in November 2009.

Chapter 1. General provisions

Article 1 (Name)

Based upon Article 24 of the Rules of the International Co-operative Alliance, a committee on fisheries is established as an international specialised organisation in the field of fisheries co-operatives. The name of this Committee shall be the International Co-operative Fisheries Organisation (ICFO) or ICA Fisheries Committee.

Article 2 (Objects)

The object of the ICFO shall be to contribute toward improving the living standards of fishermen and developing fisheries co-operatives in each of the ICFO member countries through conducting research and study on various problems concerning fisheries co-operative organisations and promoting a better mutual understanding and economic co-operation among fisheries co-operatives.

Article 3 (Activities)

IFCO may be engaged in the following activities with a view to attaining its objects as stipulated in the preceding Article:

1. to organise seminars and conferences on specific subjects for the advancement of mutual interests of the member countries;
2. tto promote fisheries co-operative movements in developing countries through such activities as guidance and assistance for the establishment of fisheries co-operatives as well as training of their future leaders;
3. to study problems concerning the fisheries co-operatives in each member country and ensure the publicity of study results;
4. to promote exchange of information and human resources and to further economic relations among fisheries co-operatives around the world for the purpose of encouraging co-operation among co-operative organisations;
5. to gather and provide information on fisheries and fisheries co-operatives;
6. to carry out other activities which might accompany those of the preceding items.

Article 4 (Membership)

1. The membership of ICFO shall consist of those organisations which come under any of the following items and have been accepted by the Executive Committee:
1. Regular Member
1. Those national or regional organisations of fisheries co-operatives in each country which are direct members of ICA;
2. Those national or regional organisations which are not direct members of the ICA but can be deemed as similar thereto.
2. Associate member
   Those national or regional organisations (including primary level fisheries co-operatives), government agencies, research institutes, international organisations, etc. Other than regular members which support ICFO in its objects and activities.
2. Each regular member shall have one vote.
3. Each member shall pay annual membership fees for the management of the Committee.
4. Each member shall withdraw from the committee with a notice of one year before the withdrawal.

Chapter 2. Executive members, Auditors, and Executive Committee

Article 5 (Executive Members, Auditors and Executive Committee)

1. ICFO shall have eight or less executive members and a few auditors. Executive members and auditors shall be elected from among regular members at a general meeting (= plenary meeting).
2. Executive members and auditors shall hold office for a period of four years, as a rule, between ICA General Assemblies. In case any vacancy is caused in the course of the above period, the vacant post shall be assumed by a person appointed by the organisation to which the vacating executive member or auditor belongs, and such appointment shall be subject to official approval at the next general meeting of ICFO.
3. The executive Committee shall elect from among its own members a chairman and four vice chairmen.
4. The chairman shall represent ICFO. The chairman shall preside at Executive Committee meetings. The chairman shall be a member of the ICA Central Committee on behalf of ICFO.
5. The vice chairman shall assist the chairman and in his absence shall act for the chairman.
6. Auditors shall audit the businesses and accounts of ICFO and make a report thereupon at a general meeting of ICFO. Auditors may participate in executive committee meetings and state their opinions. In case it is not possible for auditors to conduct auditing due to unavoidable reasons, it may be deputed by other persons or representatives, etc. other than executive committee members.
7. The chairman may convene executive committee meetings if necessary. Matters which may be transacted at Executive Committee meetings shall be as follows:
1. Matters to be transacted to general meetings;
2. Acceptance of new members and withdrawal of members;
3. Determination of official languages other than English to be used at meetings;
4. Other matters recognized by the chairman to be necessary for the management of ICFO.
8. The executive committee may nominate persons, as permanent honorary chairmen of ICFO, whose contribution to the activities of ICFO has been recognised fairly outstanding by the executive committee. The honorary chairman may attend an executive members' meeting and a general meeting, and may participate in the discussions. however, he shall not have a voting right.
9. Matters transacted at Executive Committee shall be decided upon by majority of the executive members present.

Chapter 3. General Meetings

Article 6 (General Meetings)

1. The Chairman shall convene an ordinary general meeting of ICFO once a year. Special general meetings, in cases where they are deemed to be necessary by the chairman or the executive committee, shall be convened by the chairman.
2. Chairman of general meetings: The Chairman shall preside at general meetings
3. The following matters shall be put to vote at general meetings.
1. Amendment of the rules;
2. Election of executive members and auditors;
3. Approval of annual activity plans and budgets;
4. Determination of annual activity plans and budgets;
5. Determination of the amount of membership fees and their collection methods;
6. Establishment of regional fisheries sub-committee and approval of their activity plan;
7. Dissolution of ICFO;
8. Other necessary matters.
4. Transacted matters shall be decided upon by a majority of the members present. In case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

Chapter 4. Accounts

Article 7 (Finance)

1. The revenue of ICFO shall be as follows:
1. Membership fees;
2. Grants;
3. Contributions;
4. Other revenues.
2. The fiscal year shall start on January 1 and end on December 31 each year.

Chapter 5. Secretariat

Article 8 (Secretariat, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary)

The Secretariat for ICFO shall be established as a rule at the ICA Headquarters. The Chairman may establish the Secretariat of ICFO at other places if necessary, subject to the consent of the Executive Committee. The Chairman shall appoint a Secretary General and an Assistant Secretary to have them manage the affairs of ICFO and their appointments shall be approved by the Executive Committee.

Chapter 6. Supplementary Provisions

1. The Rules of ICFO shall come into force as from October 20, 1986.
2. Matters not stipulated in the Rules but deemed necesary for the ICFO shall be referred by the Chairman to the Executive Committee. Decisions required in scu cases shall be taken at the Executive Committe.
3. Article 5 (2) shall apply from 11 June 1996.