The outcome of Bermuda's bid to join an international tuna conservation body could be known within weeks.

Government hopes a decision will be made in time for the annual meeting ofthe International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna in November, Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. James Burnett-Herkes told The Royal Gazette .

Government has asked the United Kingdom to petition on Bermuda's behalf for membership in ICCAT, based in Madrid.

ICCAT's parent body is formed under the United Nation's food and agricultural organisation, based in Rome. Bermuda's application to join must go through that body, Dr. Burnett-Herkes said.

"We're hoping that it will be dealt with as a matter of urgency by the various bodies concerned.'' Whether Bernuda is a member of ICCAT will affect Government's handling of applications from foreign fishing vessels wishing to work in Bermuda waters next year, he said. Several applications have been received from Taiwanese and other foreign vessels and "we're still receiving applications.'' No applications from Canadian fishing boats are in, "but it is a possibility'' Canadian fishermen will be back next year, particularly if Bermuda joins ICCAT.

Bermuda has held talks with officials in Canada, where new fishing laws were passed recently. Now, Canadian boats wishing to fish in foreign waters like Bermuda would also have to be licensed in Canada. And their catches must not affect Canadian quotas as a member of ICCAT.

This summer, Canadian Fisheries officials arrested the Canadian longliner Stephen B , which had been licensed to fish within Bermuda's 200-mile limit.

Canadian Government concerns about the effect on Canadian quotas for swordfish and blue-finned tuna eventually led to several Canadian boats licensed by Bermuda returning home earlier than planned.

"If Bermuda is a member of ICCAT and has a quota of its own, it would be possible for us to license non-Bermudian boats to help us fill the quota,'' Dr. Burnett-Herkes said.

Canadians licensed to fish in Bermuda would not have their catches subtracted from Canadian quotas.

"We would first have to look at the potential for filling the quota locally and make sure we'd not be doing Bermudians a disservice.'' The size of Bermuda's quota would be a matter for negotiations, he said. Due to concerns about tuna stocks, "it would likely be modest at best.'' So far, ICCAT has only set quotas for blue-finned tuna, though some members like Canada have set quotas for other species. ICCAT might set swordfish quotas this year, Dr. Burnett-Herkes said.

While responsibilities come with ICCAT membership, there are also advantages.

Japan, the main market for blue-finned tuna, may impose an import ban on fish from non-ICCAT countries, he said.

Under the Law of the Sea Convention, Bermuda must license foreign vessels to fish its waters if domestic boats are not. Most Bermudian fishermen work close to the reef, far from the limits of the territorial waters.