Western and Central Pacific Oceans - Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
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 to conserve and manage migratory fishery resources in the western and central Pacific Ocean. The Convention draws upon the principles of sustainable use, long-term conservation, effective monitoring, control and surveillance and the precautionary approach. The first meeting of the new Commission will be 9-10 December 2004.
Background
The Convention was negotiated at a series of MHLCs, which included participants from Pacific Island Countries 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.
Nineteen states signed the Convention. Fourteen states (Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu) have now ratified the Convention. On 19 June 2004, the convention entered into force. After consultation with states, territories and industry groups, Australia ratified the Convention on 22 September 2003. The Convention is one of the first regional fisheries agreements to be adopted since the conclusion in 1995 of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.
The Convention, and the Commission established under it, is seen as important to both Australia’s domestic and regional interests. Australia has been strongly involved in the development of the Convention and continues to be strongly involved in the Preparatory Conference process currently being undertaken. The task of the Preparatory Conference 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 has developed financial and administrative arrangements, established scientific structures, undertaken the preliminary collection and analysis of data on fish stocks and is in the process of developing a compliance and enforcement framework through monitoring and surveillance measures.
There have been six Preparatory Conferences since April 2001 and a seventh and final Preparatory Conference is scheduled for early December 2004 ahead of the first meeting of the Commission. There has been industry and NGO consultation and participation throughout this process.
Fisheries Issues and Impact in Australia
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. The Convention applies to waters of the Pacific Ocean including an area off the eastern coast of Australia. The ratification of the Convention will serve to protect the fisheries resources that migrate through our exclusive economic zone.
The Commission will seek to promote the objective of optimum utilisation of highly migratory fish stocks. There is a commitment to use the best scientific evidence available to determine the maximum sustainable yield. The Convention emphasises measures that will prevent or eliminate overfishing within the convention area. The Commission shall be capable of determining the total allowable catch or total level of fishing effort within convention areas and this will link to an authorisation scheme for those vessels allowed to fish in the convention area. Where necessary, the Commission shall adopt conservation and management strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of fish stocks. Conservation and management of the fisheries will be enforced by monitoring, control and surveillance measures.
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.
Binding Treaty Action
Australia has undertaken binding treaty action on the Convention on the basis that it is a ground-breaking management regime that will best serve to protect Australia’s interest in the highly migratory fish stocks of the western and central Pacific. The National Interest Analysis and text of the Treaty were tabled in Parliament on 17 June 2003 with its instrument of ratification lodged with the depository (New Zealand) on 22 September 2003.
Convention Map 
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