A comprehensive measure governing high seas boarding and inspection in the South Pacific is the proposals adopted at the 11th annual meeting of members of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, held in Ecuador.
This is the culmination of efforts by the United States to achieve greater surveillance and monitoring over fishing activities in the Convention Area.
‘This is a big step forward for SPRFMO. Negotiations on this measure have been ongoing for more than five years,’ said Alexa Cole, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce for NOAA Fisheries, who serves as the US Commissioner to SPRFMO.
‘This puts in place important detailed procedures for high seas boarding and inspections that will facilitate efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the South Pacific.’
Steps were also taken towards controlling fishing levels in the jumbo flying squid fishery. A working group chaired by the United States reconciled five competing proposals. Members adopted a measure that will, for the first time, limit the number and size of vessels flagged to China, Taiwan ( participating as Chinese Taipei), and Korea that target squid in the eastern Pacific. Three of the five proposals, including the one from the United States, also advocated for an increase in the observer coverage to at least 10% of fishing days.
SPRFMO members failed to reach consensus on an increase in observer coverage despite support from the United States and most coastal states, and despite the clear need to improve monitoring of this fishery for scientific and compliance purposes.
A US representative commented that the United States is disappointed that members representing distant-water fishing interests blocked more ambitious action.
Significant progress was made on management of jack mackerel as the United States chaired a working group developing a proposal for the allocation of jack mackerel among current and new participants in this important fishery.
SPRFMO members adopted by vote an allocation that will strengthen management and sustainable use in this fishery for the next decade. It will also promote more stability for the organisation and the fishing industry.
‘The rebuilding of jack mackerel from its depleted state a decade ago to the thriving, sustainably managed fishery it is now is a significant accomplishment for SPRFMO. It is an example of the success that can be achieved through international cooperation in regional fisheries management organisations,’ a US representative at the meeting said.
Members adopted a measure to enhance the conservation of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific and take other steps to improve the management of bottom fishing on the high seas, aiming for 70% protection of suitable habitat for vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Scientific uncertainty surrounding whether further protection may be needed will be addressed by the Scientific Committee in the coming year.
‘The United States will continue advocating for action to prevent significant adverse impacts of fishing activities on VMEs consistent with the best available scientific information and the precautionary approach,’ the US representative stated.
