Vessels

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Page updated: 04 Jun 2025

Fishing vessels operating in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean must be registered and tracked so that we can manage fish stocks responsibly, reduce illegal fishing, and share information among countries. This page explains how the WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV) works, what rules and measures govern it, and where to find historical and related information. As you scroll down, you’ll see more detailed rules and technical information, but this introduction gives you the big picture in plain language:

  • Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV): A public list of all fishing boats authorized to fish in our region. It helps us know who is fishing, where they are registered, and ensures transparency.
  • Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs): Rules set by the Commission to protect fish stocks. Some CMMs describe how boats must be identified, tracked, and monitored.
  • Port Codes: Every port (city) where a vessel can be registered has a unique code. We use these codes in the RFV to standardize data.
  • Reporting Tools for Members: Since March 2023, countries (CCMs) have special reporting functions—like annual fishing reports and audit inspections—built into the RFV website.
  • Historical Records: You can view past vessel data by choosing “Include Deleted Vessels.” This helps researchers see how fleets have changed over time.
  • IUU Vessel List: A separate list shows boats identified as Illegal, Unreported, or Unregulated (IUU). We keep that up to date so governments and the public know which vessels are not allowed to fish in our waters.

Operative Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) for Vessels

The following CMMs (Conservation and Management Measures) set out the rules for fishing vessels in the WCPFC Convention Area. Each link below goes to the official measure, and where a PDF download is available, its file size is shown in parentheses:

WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV)

The WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV) is a public database listing all boats authorized to fish in our Convention Area beyond a country’s own waters. It includes vessel names, identification numbers, flag states, engine power, and more. You can search, filter, and sort the data, and see photos of many vessels. Below are details on how the RFV works and related resources.

How to Access the RFV

  • Visit the public interface: https://vessels.wcpfc.int
  • Use search boxes, filters, and sort options to find any vessel by name, UVI, flag state, or other fields.
  • View vessel photos if available.

Port Codes for Vessel Registration

To standardize data, each city (port) where a vessel is registered has an RFV Port Code. These codes are required by CMM 2022-05. Download the complete list here:

Reporting Tools for CCMs (Commission Members)

Since March 2023, the RFV website also includes online tools for CCMs to submit:

  • Annual Fished and Did Not Fish Reports
  • MTU Audit Inspection Reports
  • MTU Update Requests
  • WCPFC Charter Notifications

You can find short online help guides by clicking “Support” in the top-right corner of the RFV website, or directly via this Freshdesk help link .

Questions or Assistance

If you need help with the RFV—such as requesting a new port code, getting support, or general inquiries—email: rfv@wcpfc.int.

Interim Register of Non-Member Fish Carrier and Bunker Vessels

The WCPFC used to maintain a temporary list of non-member fish carriers and bunker vessels. That interim register expired on 30 June 2013. No new updates are made to that list.

Historical Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV) Data

If you want to see vessels that used to be in the RFV but are no longer active, use the “Include Deleted Vessels” option in the search criteria on the RFV website. This lets you view full historical data, including vessels that have been removed.

WCPFC IUU Vessel List

Vessels identified as Illegal, Unreported, or Unregulated (IUU) are listed separately. To see the latest IUU list, click below:

Page Updated: 3 June 2024