Specific requirements to protect cetaceans from purse seine activities as specified in CMM 2011-03
Full Text
1. CCMs shall prohibit their flagged vessels from setting a purse seine net on a school of tuna associated with a cetacean in the high seas and exclusive economic zones of the Convention Area, if the animal is sighted prior to commencement of the set. 2. CCMs shall require that, in the event that a cetacean is unintentionally encircled in the purse seine net, the master of the vessel shall: (a) ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure its safe release. This shall include stopping the net roll and not recommencing fishing operation until the animal has been released and is no longer at risk of recapture; and (b) report the incident to the relevant authority of the flag State, including details of the species (if known) and number of individuals, location and date of such encirclement, steps taken to ensure safe release, and an assessment of the life status of the animal on release (including, if possible, whether the animal was released alive but subsequently died).In taking steps to ensure the safe release of the cetacean as required under paragraph 2(a), CCMs shall require the master of the vessel to follow any guidelines adopted by the Commission for the purpose of this measure. 3. CCMs shall require that, in the event that a cetacean is unintentionally encircled in the purse seine net, the master of the vessel shall (a) ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure its safe release. This shall include stopping the net roll and not recommencing fishing operation until the animal has been released and is no longer at risk of recapture; and... Guidelines for safe release were adopted at WCPFC12 (2016) - see attached
Theme
Mitigating impacts of fishing on species of special interest