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The IPOA-IUU calls on States to ensure compliance with and enforcement of IUU fishing-related policies and measures adopted by any RFMOs by which they are bound. States should cooperate in the establishment of such organizations in regions where none currently exists. |
The PIC will continue to work through RFMOs to implement the IPOA-IUU. The PIC considers RFMOs to be in the forefront of taking measures to implement the IPOA-IUU. It is expected that the WCPF Commission will be well positioned to implement the IPOA-IUU through, inter alia, information mechanisms, MCS, and dealing with non-member fishing, develop documentation and certification schemes. The PIC will be an active participant and will strive to implement the decisions of the Commission effectively and expediently.
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The IPOA-IUU calls on States to give effect to their duty to cooperate by agreeing to apply the conservation and management measures by RFMOs to which they are not members, or by adopting measures consistent with those conservation and management measures, and should ensure that vessels entitled to fly their flag do not undermine such measures. |
Consistent with the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, the PIC will cooperate and act consistently with the conservation and management measures agreed by RFMOs to which it is not a member.
Currently, there are no PIC flag vessels operating in the high seas but any future high seas fishing permits will require specific approval for PIC vessels and PIC nationals (including PIC registered companies), to fish in areas or for species covered by organizations and arrangements to which PIC is not a party.
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The IPOA-IUU encourages States, acting through relevant RFMOs, to take action to strengthen and develop innovative ways, in conformity with international law, to combat IUU fishing. |
The PIC has been a member of FFA since 1979 and in cooperation with the other members of that organization, has contributed to the development and implementation of a number of fisheries management measures designed to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing.
Prominent among the many innovations is the Regional Register that contains details of each foreign fishing vessel listed in "good standing" and eligible to apply for a licence to fish in the Pacific Islands region. Information listed includes details of vessel owner, operator, master, fishing master and the VMS ALC fitted. For vessels found to have been involved in IUU fishing, the threat of "black-listing" and thus the prospect of not being able to fish in any FFA member State waters, has proven effective in bringing the offender to justice.
The 1991 Regional Treaty on Cooperation in Fisheries Surveillance and Law Enforcement is another innovation that allows for subregional joint and reciprocal surveillance and enforcement arrangements thus allowing neighbouring SIDS to coordinate the use of surveillance assets and for their enforcement personnel to be cross-authorized.
FFA is a leader in tuna fisheries management innovation and the PIC intends to work in cooperation with other FFA member States to pursue new initiatives and strengthen existing measures to combat IUU fishing, including the WCPF Commission.
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The IPOA-IUU encourages States, acting through relevant RFMOs, to encourage non-contracting parties with a real interest in the fishery concerned to join those organizations and to participate fully in their work. Where this is not possible, the RFMOs should encourage and facilitate the participation and cooperation of non-contracting parties, in accordance with applicable international agreements and international law, in the conservation and management of the relevant fisheries resources and in the implementation of measures adopted by the relevant organizations. RFMOs should address the issue of access to the resource in order to foster cooperation and enhance sustainability in the fishery, in accordance with international law. |
The PIC acknowledges that the effectiveness of RFMOs depends on securing the membership and participation of all States and entities fishing in an area, or for species covered by an RFMO.
The WCPF Commission has developed a protocol to allow cooperating non-contracting parties with an interest in the region's fisheries, to participate in the work of the Commission as Observers.
