217 



(b) may propose to the Commission, upon the basis of scientific 

 investigations, recommendations for joint action by the Contract- 

 ing Parties ; 



(c) may recommend to the Commission studies and investiga- 

 tions necessary for obtaining information relating to its species, 

 group of species, or geographic area, as well as the co-ordination 

 of programmes of investigations by the Contracting Parties. 



Article VII 



The Commission shall appoint an Executive Secretary who shall 

 serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The Executive Secretary, 

 subject to such rules and procedures as may be determined by the 

 Commission, shall have authority with respect to the selection and 

 administration of the staff of the Commission. He shall also perform, 

 inter alia^ the following functions as the Commission may prescribe : 



(a) co-ordinating the programmes of investigation by the 

 Contracting Parties ; 



(b) preparing budget estimates for review by the Commission ; 



(c) authorising the disbursement of funds in accordance with 

 the Commission's budget ; 



(d) accounting for the funds of the Commission ; 



(e) arranging for co-operation with the organizations referred 

 to in Article XI of this Convention ; 



(f ) preparing the collection and analysis of data necessary to 

 accomplish the purposes of the Convention particularly those data 

 relating to the current and maximum sustainable catch of tuna 

 stocks ; 



(g) preparing for approval by the Commission scientific, ad- 

 ministrative and other reports of the Commission and its sub- 

 sidiary bodies. 



Article VIII 



1(a) The Commission may, on the basis of scientific evidence make 

 recommendations designed to maintain the populations of tuna and 

 tuna-like fishes that may be taken in the Convention area at levels 

 which will permit the maximum sustainable catch. These recommen- 

 dations shall be applicable to the Contracting Parties under the con- 

 ditions laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, 

 (b) The recommendations referred to above shall be made: 



(i) at the initiative of the Commission if an appropriate Panel 

 has not been established or with the approval of at least two- 

 thirds of all Contracting Parties if an appropriate Panel has been 

 established ; 



(ii) on the proposal of an appropriate Panel if such a Panel 

 has been established; 



(iii) on the proposal of the appropriate Panels if the recom- 

 mendation in question relates to more than one geographic area, 

 species or group of species. 

 2. Each recommendation made under paragraph 1 of this Article 

 shall become effective for all Contracting Parties six months after the 

 date of the notification from the Commission transmitting the recom- 

 mendation to the Contracting Parties, except as provided in paragraph 

 3 of this Article. 



