Western and Central Pacific WCPFC
The Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (the Convention) has established a Commission (the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission) to conserve and manage migratory fishery resources in the western and central Pacific Ocean.
Contact
WCPFC Secretariat
PO Box 2356
Kaselelieh Street
Kolonia, Pohnpei State 96941
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
email: wcpfc@mail.fm
website: www.wcpfc.int/
The Convention was negotiated at a series of Multilateral High-Level Conferences (MHLCs), which included participants from Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and distant water fishing nations. At the Seventh meeting of the MHLC in September 2000 the delegates adopted the text of the Convention. Australia was an active participant in the MHLC process, recognising the importance of the Convention to the long-term future of Australian and Pacific fisheries. After consultation with states, territories and industry groups, Australia ratified the Convention in September 2002. On 19 June 2004, the convention entered into force and the Commission met for the first time in December 2004 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.
Purpose
The objective of the Convention is to ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and also the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement. The Convention draws upon the principles of sustainable use, long-term conservation, effective monitoring, control and surveillance and the precautionary approach.
The Commission seeks to manage all highly migratory fish stocks within the Convention area including tuna, billfish such as swordfish, marlin, sailfish, mackerel and sharks. These fisheries are a very valuable resource to the Australian fishing industry.
Australian priorities
The Convention applies to waters of the Pacific Ocean including an area off the eastern coast of Australia. Australia’s ratification of the Convention will serve to protect the fisheries resources that migrate through our exclusive economic zone. Through the Commission, Australia will be directly engaged in the development of management arrangements for the fisheries for which the Commission is responsible including measures to manage and conserve bigeye, yellowfin and southern albacore tunas. The development of an operationally effective Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Scheme that includes boarding and inspection arrangements and a Commission vessel monitoring system (VMS) is now a high priority.
Regional Engagement
The Convention holds particular significance for PICs. Many of these nations rely heavily upon their fishing resources for their national income. The Convention seeks to establish effective management of the fisheries to ensure that they are utilised in a sustainable way. Australia has a considerable interest in the economic stability and development of neighbouring PICs. Many PICs have developing economies and the effective management of their fisheries will allow Pacific countries to improve their economic self-reliance.
Members
Australia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, European Community, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France (extends to French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna), Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand (extends to Tokelau), Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the fishing entity of Chinese Taipei.
Meetings
Sessions of the Commission are held annually in December. The Scientific Committee and the Technical and Compliance Committee meet annually in advance of the Commission meeting in order for Commission members to act on the most recent scientific and compliance advice.
Location
The Secretariat for the Commission is based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.