Compliance Monitoring Scheme
The Compliance Monitoring Scheme (the CMS Scheme) was first established and implemented as a trial through adoption of CMM 2010-03 Conservation and Management Measure for Compliance Monitoring Scheme. Since its establishment, the WCPFC's CMS Scheme has been subject to a number of reviews and modifications which are intended to enhance and streamline processes. Over this period the reviews of the CMS Scheme have been Member-led via Intersessional Working Group and TCC. In 2017, an Independent Panel reviewed the CMS Scheme to assist CCMs to improve compliance with the Convention and to provide CCMs with clear recommendations on how best to implement the CMS. The Secretariat has also been supporting the evolution and incremental enhancements of the CMS Scheme, through progressing work to develop online tools. The current Conservation and Management Measure for Compliance Monitoring Scheme, is CMM 2023-04 which was adopted by the Commission in December 2023, and it has an expiry of 31 December 2026. The Commission has also recommitted to a a multi-year workplan of tasks to enhance the CMS, with the aim of making it more efficient and effective by streamlining processes.
Quick Links
- The 2023 Final Compliance Monitoring Report covering 2021 and 2022 activities may be accessed here WCPFC20-2023-fCMR (
1.56 MB) - List of WCPFC reporting deadlines and key dates are maintained within the WCPFC website calendar, and may be accessed, as an ICAL link and CSV export through the "Upcoming Events" Calendar page here.
- Past years Final Compliance Monitoring Reports may be accessed here.
- A reference page for the Intersessional Working Group to facilitate the multi-year workplan of tasks to enhance the CMS (CMS-IWG 2020 - 2026) may be found here.
- Background on the broader work to review and enhance the CMS Scheme since 2010 may be accessed here.
- Compliance Case File System released on 23 March 2022 may be accessed here.
- Upgraded Monitoring and Evaluation incorporating CMMs webpage available since late April 2023: This was developed considering the 2022-2024 TCC Workplan tasks for the Secretariat with including additional information in support of the Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS) on the Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) webpage. The enhanced CMM webpage now includes the CMS Risk-Based Assessment Framework, CMS Audit Points, Compliance History, and other relevant information in support of the dCMR. Recent CCM limits and information about the basis for baselines are also available on the Monitoring and Evaluation incorporating CMM webpage.
- From early April 2024, the upgraded Annual Report Part 2 online system will be accessed through the Monitoring and Evaluation system at https://cmm.wcpfc.int.
- CMS Audit Points Checklist may be accessed as supplementary information on CMM webpage (here).
Purpose of and Principles for the CMS Scheme
The purpose of the CMS Scheme is to ensure that Members, Cooperating Non-Members and Participating Territories (CCMs) implement and comply with obligations arising under the Convention and conservation and management measures (CMMs) adopted by the Commission. The purpose of the CMS is also to assess flag CCM action in relation to alleged violations by its vessels, not to assess compliance by individual vessels. The CMS is designed to:
- assess CCMs’ compliance with their WCPFC obligations;
- identify areas in which technical assistance or capacity building may be needed to assist CCMs to attain compliance;
- identify aspects of CMMs which may require refinement or amendment for effective implementation;
- respond to non-compliance by CCMs through remedial and/or preventative options that include a range of possible responses that take account of the reason for and degree, the severity, consequences and frequency of non-compliance, as may be necessary and appropriate to promote compliance with CMMs and other Commission obligations (footnote 1. In accordance with the process for identifying corrective action, as provided for in paragraph 46(iv).); and
- monitor and resolve outstanding instances of non-compliance by CCMs with their WCPFC obligations.
The implementation of the CMS and its associated processes shall be conducted in accordance with the following principles for the purpose of the application of this measure:
- Effectiveness: Effectively serve the purpose of this CMM to assess compliance by CCMs and assist the TCC in fulfilling the provisions of Article 14(1)(b) of the Convention;
- Efficiency: Avoid unnecessary administrative burden or costs on CCMs, the Commission or the Secretariat and assist TCC in identifying and recommending removal of duplicative reporting obligations; and
- Fairness: Promote fairness, including by: ensuring that obligations and performance expectations are clearly specified, that assessments are undertaken consistently and based on a factual assessment of available information and that CCMs are given the opportunity to participate in the process.
- Cooperation towards Compliance: Promote a supportive, collaborative, and non-adversarial approach where possible, with the aim of ensuring long-term compliance, including considering capacity assistance needs or other quality improvement and corrective action.
2024 WCPFC reporting deadlines and key dates
Reporting deadlines and key dates are maintained within the WCPFC website calendar, and may be accessed, as an ICAL link and CSV export through the "Upcoming Events" Calendar page here.
In addition, authorised CCM users now have a Reporting Dashboard on the Monitoring and Evaluation incorporating CMM webpage. The Reporting Dashboard displays information and links to annual reporting requirements, including ARPt2 and frequently used WCPFC website pages or systems.
