Introduction
What are driftnets? Driftnets are long nets that float on or near the surface of the ocean, held in place by weights along the bottom and floats on top. Fish swim into them and become entangled.
Why does it matter?
- Driftnets can catch large numbers of unintended species (“bycatch”), harming dolphins, turtles, seabirds, and juvenile fish.
- Very long driftnets—those more than 2.5 km (about 1.5 miles) in length—are especially damaging because they cover huge areas and remain in the water so long that bycatch problems grow worse.
Where does this rule apply?
- The “Convention Area” refers to the Western and Central Pacific Ocean where WCPFC (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission) operates.
- “High seas” means waters beyond any single country’s national jurisdiction.
What the Prohibition Says
In 2008, WCPFC adopted a Conservation and Management Measure (CMM 2008-04) to ban the use of large-scale driftnets (longer than 2.5 km) on the high seas within the Commission’s area. In plain terms:
- Fishing vessels may not deploy driftnets over 2.5 km long when operating on the high seas in the Western and Central Pacific.
- This ban aims to reduce the accidental catching of non-target species (bycatch) and help conserve marine life.
- All existing information (data, rules, definitions) remains valid; this measure only adds the specific prohibition on net length.
Why WCPFC Adopted This Measure
Before 2008, very long driftnets were used in parts of the North Pacific. These nets drifted for days or weeks, catching large volumes of fish and marine animals indiscriminately. WCPFC Members recognized that:
- Bycatch rates were unsustainably high, putting pressure on endangered species (like turtles and seabirds) and juvenile tuna.
- Other regional bodies—such as the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)—were moving toward similar restrictions.
- A unified approach would be more effective than fragmented, country-by-country rules.
Therefore, at the Fifth Regular Session (WCPFC5), Members agreed to:
- Prohibit large-scale driftnets (> 2.5 km) on the high seas.
- Encourage the Northern Committee (NC5) to work with NPAFC to share information about driftnet use and enforcement in the North Pacific.
Technical Details & Cooperation with North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)
Technical definition of “large-scale driftnet”: A driftnet longer than 2.5 kilometres is a “large-scale driftnet” under CMM 2008-04. Any net ≥ 2.5 km is banned on the high seas in the Convention Area, regardless of mesh size or target species.
High seas boundary:
- The high seas begin where national jurisdiction ends (typically 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline).
- Within national waters (inside 200 nm), each country may have its own rules—but on the high seas, WCPFC’s ban applies to all Members.
Cooperative framework with NPAFC:
- Already had measures against very long driftnets in the North Pacific.
- WCPFC encouraged NC5 to meet with NPAFC as soon as possible to exchange information on driftnet fishing activities.
- The goal is to coordinate monitoring, compliance, data-sharing, and enforcement, ensuring that vessels cannot simply move from one area to another to avoid rules.
Official Measure & Download
The full legal text of the prohibition is contained in CMM 2008-04 “Prohibition on Large-Scale Driftnets”. This document spells out:
- Exact definitions (net length, area covered, enforcement mechanisms).
- Roles and responsibilities of WCPFC Members and Cooperating Non-Members.
- Reporting requirements for incidents or suspected breaches.