PITA LIGAIULA, PACNEWS
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is working to make progress on a draft bridging measure for tropical tunas that expires at the end of this month.
The FFA countries are adamant that zone-based management, which puts Pacific resource-owning nations in the driver’s seat, is preferable to flag-based rights, which are centered on the nation owning the flag flown by fishing vessels.
“Probably the main outstanding issue has to do with is zone-based versus flag-based approaches to fishing management and within those approaches whether exemptions are required,” said WCPFC Chairperson Rhea Moss-Christian in Manila where this year’s annual meeting is being held.
“We are also continuing to consider monitoring and verification mechanisms including observer coverage and additional controls on longline transshipment activities and then underpinning all of this is the application of the principle known as ‘disproportionate burden’ which comes from the convention and ensures measures we don’t place an undue burden on developing states and territories,” she said.
The formal meetings began this past Sunday and continue through Thursday.
Read more about this in the December 8, 2017 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.