From: FERNANDES, Viv Sent: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 1:33 PM To: Kerry Smith; Robert Day; Jose Benchetrit; Sean.Wheeler@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; Amber Lindstedt; bofdwf@agri.gov.cn; Zhao Gang; Hsiangyin Chen; shirley@ofdc.org.tw; Andrew Jones; m- leigh.iro@mmr.gov.ck; Laura Marot; Eckehard.REUSSNER@ec.europa.eu; Thierry.Remy@ec.europa.eu; Randall.CARUANA@ec.europa.eu; ramesh.chand@ffa.int; 'Ana Taholo'; Matthieu LE QUENVEN; Vaiana Jorogues; justino.helgen@norma.fm; Sarah Lenel; tryand_fish@yahoo.com; Trian Yunanda; Takumi Fukuda; Hirohide Matsushima; Akira Bamba; Ilkang Na; Manuel Ducrocq; Heather Ward; Clifford.baird@mpi.govt.nz; nqjedgonics@yahoo.com; Benjamin F.S.. Tabios Jr.; 'Penihulo Lopati'; john@pnatuna.com; les@pnatuna.com; dkaris@fisheries.gov.pg; Laurence Edwards; Mr. Glen Joseph; bbigler@mimra.com; jhangen@pewtrusts.org; poasi66@hotmail.com; kctsaifoloi@gmail.com; alex.kahl@noaa.gov; jsuaki@vanuatu.gov.vu; kalnaarthur@gmail.com; Bubba Cook; Jung-re Riley Kim; PSALTIS, Georgina; Richard Martin Cc: Terry Boone; Albert Carlot; Lara Manarangi-Trott; Tim Jones Subject: VMS SWG - Update - 3 November 2020 [SEC=OFFICIAL] Attachments: Information paper - VMS-100S.pdf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged OFFICIAL Dear VMS SWG participants It was good to see many of you at the recent TCC meeting. TCC16 made a number of recommendations relating to the work of the VMS SWG (see draft TCC16 Summary Report). These are outlined below, with some initial comments and thoughts from the Co-Chairs: TCC16 Recommendation Co-Chairs’ comments 1. Interpretation of a VMS obligation TCC16 ‘recommended that WCPFC17 task the VMS SWG to consider approaches to address challenges identified’ with the interpretation of CMM 2014-02 para 9(a) VMS SSP 2.8 regarding ALC activation (para 91) This additional tasking can be included into a workplan for 2021 (pending a WCPFC17 decision for the VMS SWG to continue its work into 2021). 2. Continuation of VMS SWG into 2021 ‘TCC16 recommends that WCPFC17 continue the work of the VMS SWG in 2021 and develop recommendations for TCC17’s consideration to address VMS data gaps and improve the number of vessels reporting to the Commission’ (para 172) This essentially recommends the VMS SWG continue its work into next year. The Co-Chairs propose to draft a paper for submission to WCPFC17 regarding current and future work. See below for further discussion of this paper. 3. MTU/ALC approval work prior to WCPFC17 ‘TCC16 noted TCC16-2020-15 and recommended that discussions amongst interested CCMs, the Secretariat and other technical experts occur through the VMS SWG, and that consideration be given to advancing the issues identified in TCC16-2020-15 for WCPFC17’ (para 230). This recommendation tasks the VMS SWG to continue work prior to WCPFC17 regarding consideration of MTU/ALC unit approvals. See below for a proposed approach for this work. MTU/ALC approval work prior to WCPFC17 The MTU/ALC approval work recommended by TCC16 related largely to Working Paper 15 (TCC16-2020- 15) and consideration of the approval of the SRT VMS-100S unit. The Secretariat’s assessment of the SRT VMS-100S unit was that it ‘meets the minimum standards for the Commission VMS as set out in Annex 1 of CMM 2014-02 (or its successor measure) and WCPFC SSPs, as relevant, and has the ability to successfully report to the Commission VMS through the SAT-Trak Comm System’ (para 7, TCC16-2020- 15). Therefore, the Secretariat recommended the addition of the unit to the WCPFC approved ALC/MTU list. During TCC16, CCMs indicated that further discussion and information sharing was needed regarding this unit thus leading to the TCC16 recommendation outlined above (to continue work in the lead up to WCPFC17). To progress this work, the Co-Chairs note the following: - Reopening of Online Discussion Forum o To facilitate the SWG’s consideration of ALC/MTU approvals, the Secretariat has reopened the TCC16 online discussion forum. o The specific topic reopened is the Approved ALC/MTU “eTCC16 Topic J: Recommendations related to the WCPFC Approved ALC/MTU List (VMS SSPs Section 2.7)”. o Access to this online discussion forum is available only to approved TCC16 participants who have logged into the WCPFC website using their meeting credentials. Such approved users can view and submit comments directly into the ALC/MTU TCC16 topic. The Secretariat has provided detailed prior advice o Terry and I encourage participants to use this platform to exchange information or questions in relation to the SRT VMS-100S unit in the lead up to WCPFC17. - Information paper o SRT has prepared the attached information paper regarding the VMS-100S unit. It seeks to address some of the questions raised by participants during TCC16 (and previously raised in the Online Discussion Forum). o This information paper will also be posted on the VMS SWG webpage (https://www.wcpfc.int/2020_vms-swg) - Further operational testing o In addition to the operational testing of the VMS-100S unit that was conducted by SRT (see information paper), Japan has requested to test the unit and is currently coordinating this with SRT. Further updates will be provided when available. We also note that TCC16 discussed the MTU/ALC approval process more generally, including the need for improving this process to assist CCMs and the Secretariat. This may be an additional work area the VMS SWG could consider as part of its future work in 2021. Continuation of VMS SWG into 2021 The Co-Chairs propose to prepare a VMS SWG paper for submission to WCPFC17. We propose this paper to cover the following: - An update of work progressed by the VMS SWG; - A summary of work completed following TCC16 in relation to consideration of the SRT VMS- 100S unit. Depending on the SWG’s progress, this could include a proposed recommendation for a Commission decision regarding the unit. - An overview of the remaining work areas to be addressed by the SWG (including those proposed by TCC16); - A draft workplan for 2021 leading up to TCC17. We hope to distribute a draft copy of this paper to participants for consideration prior to submitting to WCPFC17. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the above information and proposed approach. In the meantime, we look forward to participants reengaging with the Online Discussion Forum and all of us progressing the VMS SWG work. Regards, Viv Viv Fernandes Manager, International Compliance Policy Australian Fisheries Management Authority P: 02 6225 5320 M: +61 438073804 E: viv.fernandes@afma.gov.au afma.gov.au Subscribe and stay up-to-date with the latest AFMA News OFFICIAL AFMA Securing Australia's fishing future We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this Country. We recognise their connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them, their cultures, and their Elders, past, present and emerging. This email contains information that may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee (or authorised to receive the email for the addressee), you may not use, copy or disclose to anyone the email or any information contained in the email. 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