TUNA TRACEABILITY - A POSSIBILITY IN THE PACIFIC

TUNA TRACEABILITY - A POSSIBILITY IN THE PACIFIC

Catch documentation schemes (CDS) are considered an effective approach to combat IUU fishing and are a common tool used in many RFMOs. While WCPFC has agreed in principle on the need for a CDS for species caught in the WCPO, the unique nature of the WCPFC fishery, with its multiple species, multiple methods and combination of EEZs and high seas areas, has meant that developing a practical and effective WCPFC CDS requires careful consideration. A working group has been tasked to progress the development of a CDS and one of its recent tasks was considering the possible option of expanding schemes currently in place in the region.

A number of traceability schemes exist in the WCPO, many to satisfy the catch certification requirements of the EU IUU Regulation, and there was a need to look more closely at these schemes to see if they could be expanded to suit the WCPFC context. A workshop was held, prior to TCC10 and chaired by Alois Kinol of PNG, which noted the various schemes in the region and recognised that, while these schemes served their objectives well, additional elements were required to meet the needs of a CDS suitable for the WCPFC.

Participants at the workshop were generally supportive of an electronic, standards based CDS regime facilitated by the WCPFC Secretariat. Participants also noted that the design of a WCPFC CDS should include all potential scenarios but for practical purposes, implementation would need to be phased. It was also agreed that further refinement of the objectives and scope is required, including how to progress a phased approach. The workshop agreed to recommend a workplan to WCPFC11 to progress these elements, including hosting another workshop at TCC11. Further information on the workshop can be found on the website (https://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/catch-documentation-scheme-cds-intersessional-working-group-2014)