Management of Tuna Fisheries for Sustainable Development in the Pacific Islands

Cooperation by Pacific Island countries in the management of tuna fisheries is an important means of achieving sustainable development of these shared resources, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) tuna fishery is the largest tuna fishery in the world and two examples of arrangements based on regional cooperation are provided: • The purse seine Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) is a fisheries management system that is being implemented through the cooperation of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which regulates harvesting of tuna in line with SDG 14.4. The scheme also establishes rights in the shared fishery for small island developing states, increasing economic returns in support of SDG 14.7. • Regional cooperation in fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance is a unique collaboration between the members of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to address illegal, unreported and unregistered (IUU) fishing in support of SDG 14.4. A range of regionally agreed systems and tools is applied.

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“Creeping Jurisdiction” by the Small Islands of the Pacific Ocean in the Context of Management of the Tuna Fisheries

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law ◽

10.1163/15718085-12341364 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 477-511 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michel Morin

Keyword(s):

Pacific Ocean ◽

Small Island ◽

Small Islands ◽

Central Pacific ◽

Central Pacific Ocean ◽

The Pacific ◽

National Jurisdiction ◽

The Pacific Ocean ◽

Tuna Fisheries ◽

Tuna Fishery

The tuna fishery of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean occurs for the greater part in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of coastal States which qualify as small island developing States (sids); this fishery is managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (wcpfc). On account of the majority they represent, the sids strive for the adoption of measures which would benefit them. This article discusses the effect of these measures which may give the impression that the delicate balance reached with the adoption of the losc between the rights of coastal States and other States is being upset; this can be regarded as a kind of ‘creeping jurisdiction’. Three issues are considered: the quasi-exemption of application of many rules by the sids, the issue of the application of the Convention in the various areas under national jurisdiction and the requirements for the exercise of navigational rights.

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Tuna Fisheries Conservation and Management in the Pacific Islands Region

Asia-Pacific Journal of Ocean Law and Policy ◽

10.1163/24519391-06020003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 192-220

Author(s):

Quentin Hanich ◽

Myeonghwa Jung ◽

Alice McDonald ◽

Seoyeon Oh ◽

Sukran Moon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pacific Islands ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Central Pacific ◽

Fishing Fleet ◽

Fishing Vessels ◽

Tuna Fishing ◽

Catch Rates ◽

Tuna Fisheries ◽

Distant Water Fishing ◽

High Seas

Abstract The Korean tuna fishing fleet has a long history of participation in the tuna fisheries of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (wcpo), the largest tuna fisheries in the world. As one of the largest distant water fishing fleets operating in the wcpo, Korea has a strong interest in maintaining access to both eez s and the high seas, and ensuring sustainability of the region’s tuna stocks. The regulatory environment for tuna fisheries in the wcpo is complex and multi-layered, with regional, sub-regional and national legislation, regulation and policies all affecting tuna fishing vessels and operations. Management of tuna fisheries within Pacific Island eez s is increasingly being tightened, including through the introduction of zone-based management approaches, and Pacific Island countries are also advocating for improved management of tuna fishing in the high seas. While all four primary tuna species in the wcpo are currently considered healthy, catch rates and economic conditions in the southern and tropical longline fisheries are in decline and catch reductions will be necessary to improve catch rates and increase economic returns for longline vessels. Within this context, the Korean distant water fishing fleet will need to strengthen engagement and cooperation with Pacific island States in order to maintain their competitiveness.

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Overview of tuna fisheries, stock status and management framework in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Fisheries in the Pacific ◽

10.4000/books.pacific.423 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 19-48

Author(s):

Valérie Allain ◽

Graham Michael Pilling ◽

Peter Gregory Williams ◽

Shelton Harley ◽

Simon Nicol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pacific Ocean ◽

Central Pacific ◽

Management Framework ◽

Central Pacific Ocean ◽

Stock Status ◽

Tuna Fisheries

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Moving towards a Rights-Based Fisheries Management Regime for the Tuna Fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law ◽

10.1163/157180807781475290 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 125-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Transform Aqorau

Keyword(s):

Pacific Ocean ◽

Fisheries Management ◽

Pacific Island ◽

Central Pacific ◽

Central Pacific Ocean ◽

Island States ◽

Management Regime ◽

The Pacific ◽

Pacific Island States ◽

Tuna Fisheries

AbstractThe 2000 Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPF Convention) establishes a Commission which will be responsible for setting catch limits and effort controls for the fishery. The Convention will require the Pacific Island States to impose some form of catch limits and this presents them with the opportunity to explore ways to enhance the fisheries regimes they manage. This paper explores the legal issues surrounding a possible rights-based regime, both as a collective approach by the Pacific Island States, and individually. The paper suggests possible legal approaches to the introduction of a rights-based fisheries management regime, drawing on ways in which they may structure their fisheries legislation, and on experiences from other regions. The paper concludes by examining the implications for the Pacific Island States of such an approach.

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