Annexes to COM(2009)483 - Establishment of the EC position to be adopted in the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

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dossier COM(2009)483 - Establishment of the EC position to be adopted in the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory ...
document COM(2009)483 EN
date September 21, 2009
ANNEX

The Community position in the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

1. PRINCIPLES

In the framework of the WCPFC, the European Community shall:

a) act in accordance with the objectives pursued by the Community within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy, notably through the precautionary approach to provide for the sustainable exploitation of species regulated by the WCPFC, to promote the gradual implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, and to minimise the impact of fishing activities on marine eco-systems, as well as through the promotion of economically viable and competitive Community fisheries, providing a fair standard of living for those who depend on fishing activities and taking account of the interests of consumers;

b) ensure that WCPFC measures are in accordance with the objectives of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean;

c) ensure that WCPFC measures are consistent with international law, and in particular with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the UN Agreement relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks and the Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas;

d) promote consistent positions within Regional Fisheries Management Organisations;

e) seek synergy with the policy that the Community is pursuing as part of its bilateral fisheries relations with third countries, and ensure coherence with its external relations policy;

f) ensure that the Community's international commitments are respected.

2. ORIENTATIONS

The European Community shall, where appropriate, endeavour to support the adoption of the following actions by the WCPFC:

a) stringent conservation and management measures for fisheries resources allowing for their long term sustainability and taking into account the best scientific advice available, including temporal closures for purse seine vessels catching bigeye, yellowfin and skipjack tuna, as well as equivalent measures for longline vessels targeting tuna or swordfish stocks. Where necessary, specific measures for stocks which suffer from overfishing shall be considered in order to avoid any increase of fishing activities;

b) measures to control fishing effort to ensure that it is commensurate with fishing opportunities available;

c) the development and implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance measures, concerning inter alia a centralised vessel monitoring system, an observer scheme, port State measures, a strict regime to control transhipment at sea and a catch documentation scheme for certain species;

d) enhanced measures to combat IUU activities;

e) acceptance of applications from responsible fishing countries to join the WCPFC.

[1] OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59

[2] OJ L 32, 4.2.2005, p. 1