The European Union has ratified the Convention setting up a new Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO), which, once it enters into force, will govern the fishing activities in the high seas of the South Pacific.
The EU is the sixth Party to ratify the Convention after Belize, Cook Islands, Republic of Cuba, Kingdom of Denmark in respect of Faroe Islands and New Zealand.
The South Pacific is one of the few remaining parts of the oceans which have not yet been regulated by an RFMO (Regional Fisheries Management Organization) for non-tuna species. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) will manage non-highly migratory fish species in the region, including both pelagic and deep sea stocks such as jack mackerel and orange roughy. Tuna species are considered highly migratory.
It covers a vast area including the waters from the most western parts of the South Pacific towards the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of South America.
In order to enter into force, the Convention need to be ratified by at least eight partners, including at least three coastal states in the region and three long-distance fishing states.
The EU hopes for rapid ratification progress, particularly by the coastal States in the area, to enable the South Pacific RFMO to become fully operational in the near future.
The new organization will allow for the effective management of fisheries resources and the protection of the marine environment in this vast area of the high sea.
