Paragraph 12 of the Procedures requires the Commission to “maintain a register of all authorized inspection vessels and authorities or inspectors” (the WCPFC High Seas Boarding and Inspection Register). This paragraph also stipulates that, “only vessels and authorities or inspectors listed on the Commission’s Register are authorized under the Procedures to board and inspect foreign flagged fishing vessels on the high seas within the Convention Area”.
At present, the only Members with authorised inspection vessels listed on the WCPFC High Seas Boarding and Inspection Register are:
- Australia
- Canada
- Cook Islands
- China
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- France
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Republic of Korea
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Chinese Taipei
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- United States of America
In respect of the Register, WCPFC3 agreed that “boarding and inspection operations pursuant to the Procedures would be authorized to begin 60 days after the circulation to CCMs by the Executive Director of the register of authorized inspection vessels in accordance with paragraph 17 of the Procedures” (para.155 of the WCPFC3 Summary Report).
Paragraph 13 of the Procedures provides that Contracting Parties:
(a)with respect to each inspection vessel they assign to boarding and inspection activities under the procedures, provide details of the vessel (name, description, photograph, registration number, port of registry (and, if different from the port of registry, port marked on the vessel hull), international radio call sign and communication capability);
Link to access: Register of Inspection Vessels