By Atuna
The Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC) of the Western Central Pacific Ocean Commission (WCPFC) has recommended that an online system be developed to acquire more vessel details from its Vessels Monitoring System (VMS).
All fishing vessels that operate on the high seas in the WCPO are required to carry a satellite transponder that allows the Commission in Pohnpei to track these vessels. The system became operational in April this year. When it started the Commission expected 600 vessels to be monitored by the system by the end of 2009.
However, by October, the Commission reported that more than 2.200 vessels was already part of its system. The TCC reviewed the status of vessels carrying VMS against the Commission’s Record of Fishing Vessels which currently has more than 9.000 vessels.
They reviewed the scope and quality of information for vessels on the Record and recommended the online system in order to improve the ability of flag States to maintain its record of fishing vessels on the Commission’s Record.
The Technical Committee also reviewed information that had been submitted alleging that 17 fishing vessels had undertaken illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the region in 2008 and early 2009. After reviewing the information, the Committee decided to place 15 vessels on its Draft IUU List which will be considered by the Commission when it meets in French Polynesia in December.
The WCPFC completed the 5th session of its TCC at Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia on Tuesday 6th October. More than 140 representatives from 36 countries participated in the meeting which started on Monday 28 September.