WCPFC Enhances Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration through Attachment Program

Kolonia, Pohnpei – June 21, 2023 - The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has successfully completed an attachment program with five participants from Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

The attachment organizers and facilitators WCPFC Assistant Compliance Manager, Eidre Sharp, and WCPFC Compliance Manager, Dr Lara Manarangi-Trott said the two-week program focused on deepening participants' understanding of the Commission's day-to-day activities and annual processes. To make sure each person could achieve the most from their time at the Secretariat, the number of participants was limited.

The program covered a wide range of topics, with particular emphasis on vessel management processes including the Vessel Monitoring System, Compliance Case File management for tracking action on potential non-compliance and the annual compliance monitoring report (CMR) process. The Secretariat was able to demonstrate the tools available for WCPFC members to identify and address compliance issues throughout the year, reducing reliance on the annual CMR process.

Participants also had time to use their newfound knowledge to make significant progress on annual reporting in preparation for the Technical Compliance Committee meeting in September 2023.

Feedback from participants was positive, with the programme meeting their expectations. They were keen to continue to build on the knowledge they gained and to share this with colleagues on their return.

The WCPFC Secretariat team also greatly enjoyed the experience and the learning opportunity it presented for their own staff.

The shared enthusiasm and commitment to our collective work to effectively manage the Western and Central Pacific highly migratory fisheries means the attachments will be a highlight of the year.

For further information, please contact: wcpfc@wcpfc.int

About WCPFC    

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is one of five global tuna regional fisheries management organizations, responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks, particularly tuna, in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Established in 2004, the WCPFC comprises 34 member countries and territories, and seven cooperating-non-members dedicated to promoting the sustainable management of the world’s largest tuna fishery. The WCPFC Secretariat is headquartered in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.