WCPFC's Monitoring Scheme

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Page updated: 06 Oct 2025

What is Fisheries Compliance Monitoring?

In simple terms, compliance monitoring in fisheries is like a regular check-up to ensure that countries and fishing entities are following the agreed-upon rules for fishing. Just as traffic laws keep roads safe, fisheries rules help keep our oceans healthy and ensure there are enough fish for the future.

For the WCPFC, this means checking if its members, cooperating non-members, and participating territories (collectively called CCMs) are sticking to the rules set by the WCPFC Convention and its various conservation and management measures (CMMs).

The WCPFC's Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS)

The Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS) is the WCPFC's system for making sure its members follow the rules. It's not about punishing individual fishing boats, but rather about assessing whether the countries themselves are doing their part to implement and enforce the rules.

The main goals of the CMS are to:

  • Assess Compliance: Determine if CCMs are meeting their obligations under the WCPFC Convention and its various rules.
  • Identify Needs for Help: Pinpoint areas where CCMs might need technical assistance or training to better follow the rules.
  • Improve Rules: Highlight aspects of the rules (CMMs) that might need to be updated or changed to work more effectively.
  • Address Non-Compliance: Respond to situations where CCMs haven't followed the rules. This involves a range of possible actions that consider why the non-compliance happened, how serious it was, its impact, and how often it occurred. The aim is always to encourage better compliance.
  • Track and Resolve Issues: Keep an eye on and resolve any ongoing instances where CCMs are not meeting their WCPFC obligations.

How the CMS Has Evolved

The CMS was first introduced as a trial in 2010 with the adoption of the Conservation and Management Measure for Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMM 2010-03). Since then, the WCPFC has regularly reviewed and improved the scheme to make it more efficient and effective.

The most recent version of this important rule is the Conservation and Management Measure for Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMM 2023-04), which was adopted in December 2023 and is set to expire on December 31, 2026. This ongoing refinement shows the WCPFC's commitment to adapting and strengthening its monitoring efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries.

 

Purpose of the CMS Scheme

The CMS is not about judging individual vessels. It checks if Countries, Territories, and Cooperating Non-Members (CCMs) are meeting their responsibilities. Specifically, it:

  • Assesses how well CCMs are following rules.
  • Identifies where help is needed (training, resources).
  • Suggests ways to improve confusing or difficult rules.
  • Offers responses to non-compliance based on seriousness and cause.
  • Tracks and helps resolve ongoing compliance problems.

 

Principles Guiding the CMS

The scheme follows these principles:

  • Effectiveness – Helps assess how well CCMs comply.
  • Efficiency – Avoids unnecessary burden and simplifies reporting.
  • Fairness – Makes sure all CCMs are treated equally and transparently.
  • Cooperation – Encourages support and collaboration rather than blame.

Reporting Tools & Deadlines

Deadlines and key dates are posted on the WCPFC Calendar.

CCMs can also use the Reporting Dashboard on the Monitoring and Evaluation page to see:

  • Annual Reporting requirements
  • ARPt2 system (from April 2024)
  • Links to related systems and information

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