CMM_2010-02_[Eastern_High_Seas_Special_Management_Area]_04112011

SEVENTH REGULAR SESSION
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
6-10 December 2010
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT MEASURE FOR THE
EASTERN HIGH-SEAS POCKET SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA
Conservation and Management Measure 2010-02
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC):
Recalling that the objective of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly
Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (the Convention) is to ensure through
effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the highly migratory fish stocks
of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean in accordance with the 1982 Convention and the Agreement;
Concerned that IUU fishing activities in the Convention area undermine the effectiveness of the
conservation measures adopted by the WCPFC.
Conscious of the need to address, as a matter of priority, the issue of vessels conducting IUU fishing
activities from the Eastern High Seas Pocket (the ‘E-HSP’);
Determined to address the challenge of an increase in IUU fishing activities by way of counter-measures
to be applied in respect to vessels in the E-HSP, without prejudice to further measures adopted in respect
of CCMs and non-CCMs under the relevant WCPFC instruments;
Recognising Article 8(1) of the Convention requiring compatibility of conservation and management
measures established for the high seas and those adopted for areas under national jurisdiction;
Recalling Article 8 (4) of the Convention which requires the Commission to pay special attention to the
high seas in the Convention Area that are surrounded by exclusive economic zones (EEZs);
Noting that Article 30(1) of the Convention requires the Commission to give full recognition to the
special requirements of developing States that are Parties to the Convention, in particular small island
developing States and territories and possessions, in relation to the conservation and management of
highly migratory fish stocks in the Convention Area and development of fisheries on such stocks;
Noting further that Article 30(2)(c) of the Convention requires the Commission to ensure that
conservation and management measures do not result in transferring, directly or indirectly, a
disproportionate burden of conservation action onto developing States Parties, and territories and
possessions;
Adopts, in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention, the following Measure shall be implemented
from 1 July 2011, with respect to the Eastern High Seas pocket (E-HSP).
AREA OF APPLICATION
1.
The E-HSP is the area of high seas bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Cook
Islands to the west, French Polynesia to the east and Kiribati to the north. For the purposes of this

measure, the precise co-ordinates (geodetic information) shall be that used by the WCPFC vessel
monitoring system (VMS). A map showing the E-HSP is attached (attachment A).
REPORTING
2.
Flag States shall require their vessels to submit reports, directly, or through such organisations
designated by the flag state to the Commission at least 6 hours prior to entry and no later than 6 hours
prior to exiting the E-HSP. Such reports shall also contain estimated catch (kilograms) on board. This
information shall immediately be transmitted by the Commission Secretariat to the adjacent coastal
states/territories, and shall be considered non-public domain data. The report shall be in the following
format:
VID/Entry/Exit: Date/Time1; Lat/Long 1; YFT/BET/ALB/SKJ/SWO/SHK/OTH/TOT(kgs)
/TRANSHIPMENT (Y/N)
3.
CCMs shall encourage their flagged vessels operating in the E-HSP to report sightings of any
fishing vessel to the Commission Secretariat. Such information should include: date, time, position,
bearing, markings, speed, and vessel type. Vessels should ensure this information is transmitted to the
Secretariat as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after the trip completion.
VMS
4.
Adjacent coastal states/territories shall receive continuous near real-time VMS data pursuant to
paragraph 22 of the Commission’s Rules and Procedures for the Protection, Access to, and
Dissemination of High Seas Non-Public Domain Data and Information Compiled by the Commission for
the Purpose of Monitoring, Control or Surveillance (MCS) Activities and the Access to and
Dissemination of High Seas VMS Data for Scientific Purposes; and through a standing request under
paragraph 5 of these Rules and Procedures
VESSEL LIST
5.
The Commission Secretariat shall maintain a ‘live list’ of all fishing vessels present in the EHSP, based on near-real time VMS information. This list will be made available to Commission
Members through the WCPFC website.
TRANSHIPMENT
6.
Any transhipment activities undertaken in the E-HSP shall be in accordance with applicable
CMMs. Vessels intending to tranship (either unloading or receiving) in the E-HSP shall indicate this to
the Commission, in the reporting format as described in paragraph 2 of this measure.
COMPLIANCE
7.
Vessels found to be non-compliant with this measure shall be dealt with in accordance with
CMM 2010-06, and any other applicable measures adopted by the Commission.
REVIEW OF MEASURE
8.
The measures described above shall be reviewed every two years, in conjunction with the
relevant advice from the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC). This review shall consider, inter
alia, whether the measure is having the intended effect and the extent to which all CCMs and fishing
sectors are contributing to achieving the Commission’s conservation objectives.

1

Of anticipated point of entry or exit.

9.
The Commission shall consider, at its 8th Regular Session, the expansion of the Special
Management Area to the high seas within 100 miles from the EEZ boundaries of coastal states.
10.
This measure shall remain in place until such time as the Commission adopts an alternative
measure for the E-HSP.

Attachment A: Eastern High Seas Pocket
High Seas
High Seas

KIRIBATI

Eastern High Seas
Pocket E-HSP

COOK ISLANDS

FRENCH POLYNESIA

High Seas