WHAT WE DO
Monitoring, Control and Surveillance
of Pacific tuna fishing activities through our Fisheries Operation Division
Despite significant progress, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing still exists in Pacific tuna fisheries. The most recent estimate for 2017–19 is for 192,186 tonnes of IUU fishing, worth USD$333 million (ex-vessel value).
IUU fishing is mostly:
- driven by licensed vessels (over 95% of the total estimated volume and value of IUU activity)
- due to under-reporting, misreporting and non-reporting catches.
We focus on improving levels of compliance among licensed fleets.
We also want to strengthen national capacity and regional solidarity to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing in the Pacific, so we must provide policy and services for our Members.
Our work in this area involves:
- giving policy and technical expertise
- sharing information
- creating and implementing monitoring projects
- conducting regional surveillance
- running the FFA Regional Observer programme, Vessel Monitoring System and licence information list
- controlling fishing in Members’ waters by providing Minimum Terms and Conditions for licensed vessels.
How does this relate to our Strategic Outcomes?
Strategies to achieve Strategic Outcome #3 (from Strategic Plan 2020-25):
- Ensure measures and laws that define fisheries rights and control fishing activity can be effectively monitored and enforced.
- Reduce IUU through the implementation of the Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Strategy (RMCSS) at the national and regional level..
- Improve Monitoring, Control and Surveillance on the high seas.
- Strengthen the capacity of relevant Members to implement their responsibilities as flag, port and processing States
- Actively participate in the WCPFC compliance processes
- Utilise international forums to enhance global recognition and adoption of zone-based management and protect Members’ fishing rights.
The work that we do is guided by the Regional MCS Strategy. Its vision is that an efficient and effective MCS framework in the region could support “the sustainable management of tuna resources and maximises the economic returns and social and development benefits, while minimising adverse environmental impact”.
Achieving this vision requires regional and national cooperation, collaboration and action.
EXAMPLES OF THE WORK WE DO IN MONITORING, CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE OF PACIFIC TUNA FISHING ACTIVITIES