Overview of the IUU fishing in the Pacific: policy, legislation and practice Moses Amos, Director of Fisheries, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE WILL COVER Size of the Pacific Oceanic Fisheries National, Sub-regional & Regional Perspectives Successes Current situation IUU Trends and Impacts Challenges Vanuatu s experiences Areas where support is needed
Size of the Pacific fishery The fishery is not just big - it is huge ; Total EEZ of 30 million square kilometers of ocean; Provides 60% of global tuna supply. Half from PICTs EEZs; Landed value = ~ US$6 billion ~ US$3 billion from PICTs EEZs; 2013 Total catch = 2,621,511 mt PS = 1,898,090 mt LL = 230,073 mt Approx. 60% of catch comes from PNA waters
Just how much is that? Nose to tail the skipjack alone would go around the world more than TEN times Tuna cans produced could fill TEN stadiums EACH year
Pacific Region s Policies Combating IUU 3 Levels National Level Sub-regional Level Regional Level
Pacific Region IUU Overview Regional measures compatible with subregional measures Sub-regional measures compatible with national measures SUBREGIONAL (EEZs of some PICTs + 1 HS Pocket) REGIONAL (Total EEZs + HS + HS Pocket) NATIONAL (EEZs) Regional measures compatible with national measures Enhanced & uniformed equivalent effect on IUU
Successes - National Level Nat. Gov. SPC/FFA In-zone measures Conservation and Management (VDS, TAC, number of licenses, vessel type & size) NPOA IUU Tuna Management Plans Compliance with sub-regional, regional and international obligations Fishing vessel Registration (FFA and Domestic) Charter of foreign fishing vessels Fishing by local vessels beyond national waters Licensing requirements and conditions Data collection and reporting Exit and entry reporting requirements Observer programme Boarding and Inspection Programme Port Inspections and sampling programme Surveillance Programme (serial and sea surface) Port Port Vessel Monitoring Programme In zone and High seas Transhipment FAD programme Enforcement and prosecution Catch documentation Scheme Seafood verification and certification
Typical Weekly VMS coverage Vanuatu EEZ
Typical Monthly VMS coverage Vanuatu EEZ
Successes - Sub-regional Level PICTs SR Members SPC/FFA Subregional CMMs Purse seine Vessel Day Scheme Sub-regional Fishing vessel Registration Sub-regional Licensing requirements and conditions Data collection and reporting Observer programme Boarding and Inspection Programme Vessel Monitoring Programme Transhipment Measures FAD programme Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS) Aerial and sea surface surveillance
Successes - Regional Level DWFNs PICTS Regional CMMs CMMs for IUU Listing Vessel Monitoring System High Seas Transhipment Compliance Monitoring Compliance reports Data reporting Data submission and verification Regulation of Transhipment Vessel registration and authorization Regional Observer programme
Current situation in the Pacific Region
IUU Trends and Impacts Estimating the level of IUU fishing is extremely difficult. Continues to be a problem in the Pacific, affecting conservation and management measures both in EEZs,High seas, and High seas pockets; The bulk of IUU fishing occurs within EEZs and in particular within the waters of FFA members by both licensed and unlicensed fishing vessels Creates significant constraint to PICTS aspirations and attempt to sustainably manage their resources and provide food and nutrition security or fisheries income: Direct Economic impacts Secondary economic loses Social impacts Environmental impacts
Challenges The responsibility of the coastal state to enforce the law within its EEZ is weak; Weak governance, insufficient financial resources, limited capacity, weak enforcement of terms and conditions of licensing; Weak national legislations; The state of governance of a country correlate with IUU fishing; Failure of the control component of MCS, rather than a failure of surveillance; Illegal activities by licensed fishing vessels are usually seen as being different from the unlicensed poaching; Licensed vessels are not generally regarded as pirates or poachers in the way that unlicensed operators are; Lack of distinction between unreported data from fishing within EEZs and that from fishing outside EEZs; Failure by States under basic obligations both in international law and under the LOSC to utilize fish stocks in a sustainable manner; and, Failure of national MCS systems to deter illegal fishing through detection, apprehension and the imposition of sanctions through the process of law.
Vanuatu s Experience A Blessing in disguise Before EU IUU Notification No fishing vessel registry No control over registration of foreign fishing vessel on Vanuatu international shipping registry Uncontrolled issuance of International Fishing Authorisations and foreign fishing licenses; Gaps within National Legislation; National Tuna Management Plan very weak; Reporting performances to RFMOs (IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, SPRFMO, WCPFC) very poor; No Flag State VMS and FIMS; No IUU NPOA; No port and Inspection Scheme No control over high seas transhipment by flag fishing vessels No data verification & control scheme No catch verification and documentation scheme Insufficient budget allocation Limited revenue collection No cooperation/collaboration between line agencies After EU IUU Notification Fishing vessel registry established Control over registration of foreign fishing vessel on Vanuatu international shipping registry Control over issuance of International Fishing Authorisations and foreign fishing licenses; New National Fisheries Legislation; National Tuna Management Plan revised; Reporting performances to RFMOs (IATTC, ICCAT, IOTC, SPRFMO, WCPFC) improved; New Flag State VMS and FIMS; New IUU NPOA; New port and Inspection measures Control over high seas transhipment by flag fishing vessels New data verification & control scheme established Catch verification and documentation scheme Budget allocation increased Revenue collection increased No cooperation/collaboration between line agencies Change comes at a cost but tangible long term benefits
Areas where support would be needed Improve understanding of the EU IUU Regulations (costs, benefits and impacts for failure to comply) Financial and capacity support to Improve MCS systems (including MCS platforms, training, observers, VMS, management and control structures, catch reporting and accounting); Training and human resource development (inspectors, observers, negotiators and legislators); Establish alliance with EU to combat IUU; Develop strategy to assist and sustain countries de-listed from the EU IUU notification Yellow Card / Red Card ; Provide support to national governments through regional institions, like SPC and FFA; Development assistance directed towards enhancing both individual country fisheries management and MCS together with that of the region; and, Market/Trade controls and restrictions - through Port State Control or certification schemes,
Ultimate Goal to Combat IUU Subregion Region National IUU Activities Controlled & Reduced
Thank you