Photo: Stockfile/FIS

WCPFC Strengthens Commitments to Crew Welfare and Electronic Monitoring

MICRONESIA
Thursday, December 05, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has taken significant steps to improve working conditions for crew members aboard fishing vessels in the region.

At its recent conference in Suva, Fiji, the WCPFC adopted measures to ensure fair wages, safe and decent working environments, and protections against forced labor and other abuses. These measures represent a milestone in advancing labor standards in the world's largest tuna fishery.

Dr. Pio Manoa, Deputy Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), emphasized the importance of these new labor standards in safeguarding the safety and dignity of crew members. He highlighted that FFA members have been instrumental in driving this initiative, underscoring the agency's dedication to social responsibility within fisheries management.

Advancing Oversight with Electronic Monitoring

In addition to crew welfare measures, the WCPFC has also adopted interim standards for electronic monitoring (EM) systems, a decade-long effort aimed at modernizing fisheries oversight. EM will enhance the work of human observers by incorporating onboard cameras and advanced technology to monitor fishing activities more effectively.

Dave Gershman, an officer with the Pew Charitable Trusts’ International Fisheries Project, noted that electronic monitoring would bolster data collection and ensure better compliance with WCPFC regulations. These systems are expected to provide critical support in overseeing the sustainable management of the region's fisheries.

Remaining Challenges in Transshipment Transparency

Despite these advancements, the WCPFC has yet to reach consensus on improving the transparency of transshipment practices—a process where fish are transferred between vessels at sea.

Photo: Pew Charitable Trusts

Pew Charitable Trusts expressed disappointment, stating that WCPFC’s transshipment rules remain misaligned with United Nations recommendations and fall behind the standards adopted by the other four regional fisheries management organizations overseeing tuna.

The WCPFC’s new commitments to crew welfare and electronic monitoring represent meaningful progress in modernizing fisheries management in the Western and Central Pacific. However, the lack of agreement on transshipment transparency highlights ongoing challenges that need to be addressed to align the Commission’s practices with global standards. These steps mark an important shift toward responsible and sustainable fisheries, with room for further improvement.

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