Secretariat Staff

WCPFC Secretariat

The Secretariat handles the Commission’s day-to-day work: it sends and receives official communications; gathers, organizes, and shares the data the Commission needs; prepares reports for the Commission and its subsidiary bodies; oversees agreed monitoring, control, surveillance, and scientific-advice systems; publishes and promotes the Commission’s decisions and activities; and manages finances, staff, and other administrative tasks. The Secretariat must apply principles of cost effectiveness and efficiency in its operations.

Key Functions

• Supports Commission members’ implementation of decisions, manages administrative functions, and coordinates the Commission’s subsidiary bodies and interactions with external service providers.

• Manages daily operational, logistical, and administrative tasks to facilitate the functions and communications among members and stakeholders. Based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, our staff of approximately 30 people manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.

The Secretariat includes specialists in:

• fisheries science
• data collection and monitoring
• administration
• policy development

Executive

The Executive Director of the WCPFC serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for implementing the Commission’s policies and activities, reporting to the Commission, and managing the overall operations of the Secretariat based in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. The role includes overseeing planning, coordination, financial management, and administration; facilitating international cooperation and communication with member governments and fisheries organizations; organizing meetings and preparing reports; promoting and managing Commission projects and databases; and representing the Commission at regional and international forums.

Science

The Secretariat’s Science team oversees the Commission’s scientific work, including through management of the Commission’s scientific services provider, the Pacific Community (SPC). The Science team leads the Secretariat’s support to the Northern Committee and the Scientific Committee, ensuring that the required meeting documentation and logistical support are in place. The Science team also works closely with the Secretariat’s Compliance team on data collection activities as they relate to scientific research and stock assessment. 

Compliance

The Secretariat’s Compliance team has oversight over the Commission’s monitoring and evaluation programmes. These include administration of the Commission’s vessel monitoring system (VMS), annual reporting requirements, and the Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV). The Compliance team organizes the Commission’s annual compliance monitoring report that compiles information reported by members on their implementation of conservation and management measures. The Compliance team provides crucial support to members relating to required reporting and other monitoring requirements to promote overall compliance with Commission decisions. 

Finance and Administration

The Secretariat’s Finance and Administration team oversees the Commission’s budget development and implementation, preparation of audits, and other fiscal management duties in line with the Commission’s Financial Regulations. The team also manages Commission Headquarter assets, from building maintenance and security to managing the Commission’s relationship with its host nation, the Federated States of Micronesia. Human resource management and travel administration are also within this team’s responsibility, ensuring that travel and staffing requirements are aligned with relevant Commission policies and regulations. 

Information and Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is essential to any well-functioning organization and the Secretariat’s ICT team provides support to the Commission’s use of technology in carrying out its work. The ICT team manages external IT service provider contracts that deliver critical services in support of WCPFC databases and data management infrastructure. Importantly, the ICT team ensures that Secretariat business functions are well supported by available technology tools and processes, and that these are managed securely and efficiently.

Legal and Other Contract Services

The Commission employs consultants through contracted positions that reflect an ongoing need for a range of services required by the Commission. 

• The Commission's Legal Adviser provides legal guidance and advice when requested, serving as a key component in the Secretariat's support role to the organisation. Legal advice is often requested in discussions relating to interpretation of obligations as well as to clarify rules and procedures.
• The WCPFC Regional Observer Programme (ROP) is supported by an ROP Training and Audit Consultant who fulfils observer training requests from members and conducts periodic audits of members' national observer programmes. These audits are conducted pursuant to Commission decisions on minimum standards required by national observer programmes to participate in the WCPFC ROP.

Organization Chart 

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