Until this decision, taken on October 17 at the CCSBT annual meeting in Adelaide, Australia, it had not been legally possible for the EU to apply for membership. The EU is firmly committed to the sustainability of Southern Bluefin Tuna and is looking forward to being a constructive partner of the CCSBT.

The CCSBT is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for the management of southern bluefin tuna throughout its distribution. The Commission's objective is to ensure, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of the global southern Bluefin tuna fishery. The Commission also provides an internationally recognised forum for other countries/entities to actively participate in SBT issues. Members of the Extended Commission include Australia, the Fishing Entity of Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand whilst cooperating non-members include the Philippines, South Africa and the European Union.