South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation - High Seas Fisheries Resources

The Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean (the Convention) has been adopted and will establish the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of non-highly migratory living marine resources on the high seas of the southern Pacific ocean. The Convention draws upon the application of the precautionary approach and an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fishery resources.

Background

Seven international meetings have been held so far to negotiate a legally-binding instrument to establish the SPRFMO. To date meetings have been attended by coastal States and distant water fishing States, regional economic integration organisations and fishing entities with an historical fishing record in the region based on FAO statistics. International and regional fisheries organisations, non-government organisations and industry groups have participated as observers.

The text of the Convention was adopted at the eighth negotiation session to establish SPRFMO, held in Auckland, New Zealand from 8 to14 November 2009. The Convention opened for signature on 1 February 2010 and, to date, has been signed by New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

When the Convention enters into force, the gap that exists in the international conservation and management of non-highly migratory fisheries and protection of biodiversity in the marine environment extending from the most eastern part of the South Indian Ocean through the Pacific towards the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of South America will be closed.

The task of the Preparatory Conference, held 19 to 23 July 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand, is to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Commission and will remain in existence until the completion of the first meeting of the Commission. The Preparatory Conference will develop draft rules, regulations and procedures underpinning the future operation of the Commission, as well as financial and administrative matters.

Fisheries Issues and Impact in Australia

Fisheries in the South Pacific Ocean tend to concentrate in a few areas, predominantly on the eastern and western sides of the ocean, with large tracts of very deep water in between. The major current fisheries, Jack Mackerel and squid, occur mainly in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile, and the main fishing countries for these species are Chile, the European Union, Peru, Russia, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Approximately 2 million tonnes of Jack Mackerel are caught annually. Orange Roughy and associated fisheries occur predominantly in the western Pacific off the coasts of Australia and New Zealand and in the Tasman Sea. There are some stocks off Chile.

Given the extent and great depth of much of the South Pacific Ocean, research into the biodiversity of the high seas of the South Pacific Ocean is still in its infancy. Knowledge of the distribution and extent of commercial fishing in the South Pacific Ocean high seas is limited. Exploratory and targeted commercial fishing is thought to have taken place in the area since at least the 1970s. Fishing methods currently used include purse seining, pelagic trawling, bottom trawling, pelagic longlining, bottom longlining and potting.

Regional Engagement

The Convention holds particular significance for the economic and geographical considerations and the special requirements of developing States. Particularly the least developed among them, and small island developing States, and territories and possessions, and their coastal communities, in relation to the conservation, management and sustainable development of fishery resources and equitable benefit from those resources.

Convention Map  PDF [298kb]

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