CMM 2018-04 07d

Source:
Status: Active
Included in ARPt2
Included in CMR
Effective From
Applicability Definition
Applies to Flag CCMs with longline vessels that fish in a shallow-set manner that are listed on the WCPFC RFV
Supersedes
CCMs to ensure vessels fishing in a shallow-set manner are required to report all incidents involving sea turtles
Full Text

7. CCMs with longline vessels that fish in a shallow-set manner* shall:

a. Ensure that the operators of such vessels, while in the Convention Area, are required to employ or implement at least one of the following three methods to mitigate the capture of sea turtles:
i. Use only large circle hooks, which are fishing hooks that are generally circular or oval in shape and originally designed and manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank. These hooks shall have an offset not to exceed 10 degrees.
ii. Use only finfish for bait.
iii. Use any other measure, mitigation plan** or activity that has been reviewed by the Scientific Committee (SC) and the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC) and approved by the Commission to be capable of reducing the interaction rate (observed numbers per hooks fished) of turtles in shallow-set longline fisheries.
b. The requirements of paragraph 7(a) need not be applied to those shallow-set longline fisheries determined by the SC, based on information provided by the relevant CCM, to have minimal*** observed interaction rates of sea turtles over a three-year period and a level of observer coverage of at least 10% during each of those three years.


* footnote 1: “Shallow-set” fisheries are generally to be considered those in which the majority of hooks fish at depth shallower than 100 meters; however pursuant to paragraph 7(c) CCMs are to establish and enforce their own operational definitions.

** footnote 2: A mitigation plan details the actions that will be taken to achieve specified reductions in sea turtle interactions.

*** footnote 3: As determined by SC5.

d. provide for their longline vessels to record all incidents involving sea turtles during fishing operations and report such incidents to the appropriate authorities of the CCM.

Theme
Mitigating impacts of fishing on species of special interest
Sub Theme
Sea turtle mitigation
Category / CMR Section
Implementation (Included in CMR)
Category: Implementation
Version Introduced Date:
Version:
1
Audit Point Definition
CCM submitted a statement in AR Pt2 that:

a. confirms CCM’s implementation through adoption of a national binding measure that requires its flagged longline vessels that fish in a shallow-set manner to record all incidents involving sea turtles during fishing operations and report such incidents to the appropriate national authorities.

b. describes how CMM is monitoring and ensuring that its flagged longline vessels, that fish in a shallow-set manner, are recording record all incidents involving sea turtles during fishing operations and reporting such incidents to the appropriate national authorities, and how the CCM responds to potential infringements or instances of noncompliance with these requirements.
CCM limits not applicable for this obligation
No Risk (RBAF) Records