On 18 November 2019, in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), the Commission agreed to amend the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which modernized the Commission and provided ICCAT with the mandate to manage oceanic, pelagic, and highly migratory species of sharks and rays found in the Atlantic Ocean, desiring to co-operate in maintaining the populations of these fishes at levels that will permit their long-term conservation and sustainable use for food and other purposes.
The Protocol shall enter into force for each Contracting Party to the Convention accepting it on the ninetieth day after the deposit with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations of an instrument of approval, ratification, or acceptance by three-fourths of the Contracting Parties to the Convention, and thereafter for each remaining Contracting Party to the Convention upon approval, ratification, or acceptance by it. A government which becomes a Contracting Party to the Convention after this Protocol has been opened for signature pursuant to Article 12 shall be considered as having accepted this Protocol.
The following Contracting Parties have approved, ratified or accepted the protocol:
- European Union: 11 September 2020 (approval)
- Norway: 3 November 2020 (acceptance)
- Canada: 23 June 2021 (acceptance)
- Japan: 30 July 2021 (acceptance)
- Belize: 3 February 2022 (ratification)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: 12 April 2024 (acceptance)
- Panama: 30 December 2025 (pending official notification by FAO)
In addition, the following new Contracting Parties to the Convention are considered as having accepted this Protocol:
- Costa Rica: 7 June 2024 (Adherence)
- Cuba: 6 January 2025 (Adherence)
- Montenegro: 2 October 2025 (Adherence)