Compliance Monitoring Scheme

The Compliance Monitoring Scheme (the CMS Scheme) was established by CMM 2010-03 Conservation and Management Measure for Compliance Monitoring Scheme and was implemented as a trial during 2011 - 2015. A revised CMM was implemented during 2016 - 2018. 

In 2017, an Independent Panel reviewed the CMS Scheme to assist CCMs to improve compliance with the Convention and to provide CCMs with clear recommendations on how best to implement the CMS. In 2018, an Intersessional Working Group was established to facilitate consideration of the Report from the Independent Review of the CMS and develop a proposed CMM. As a result, CMM 2018-07 was implemented in 2019. 

In 2020, a new Conservation and Management Measure for the Compliance Monitoring Scheme was implemented until its expiry on 31 December 2021.  In 2022, the Commission amended the measure and committed to a multi-year workplan of tasks to enhance the CMS, with the aim of making it more efficient and effective by streamlining processes. An expiry date of 31 December 2023 has been set.  CMM 2021-03 (382.69 KB)

Quick Links (**updates are in progress)

  • The 2021 Final Compliance Monitoring Report covering 2020 activities may be accessed here WCPFC18-2021-fCMR (3.08 MB) 
  • List of WCPFC reporting deadlines and key dates are maintained within the WCPFC website calendar, and may be accessed, as an ICAL link and CSV export through the "Upcoming Events" Calendar page here
  • Past years Final Compliance Monitoring Reports may be accessed here
  • A reference page for the CMS-IWG to progress the future work tasks may be found here.
  • Background on the broader work to review and enhance the CMS Scheme since 2010 may be accessed here.
  • Compliance Case File System released on 23 March 2022 may be accessed here.
  • Upgraded CMM webpage available since late April 2023: This was developed considering the 2022-2024 TCC Workplan tasks for the Secretariat with including additional information in support of the Compliance Monitoring Scheme (CMS) on the Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) webpage. The enhanced CMM webpage now includes the CMS Risk-Based Assessment Framework, CMS Audit Points, Compliance History, and other relevant information in support of the dCMR. Recent CCM limits and information about the basis for baselines are also available on the CMM webpage
  • CMS Audit Points Checklist may be accessed as supplementary information on CMM webpage (here).

Intersessional Working Group established to facilitate the multi-year workplan of tasks to enhance the CMS (CMS-IWG)

In 2020, an Intersessional Working Group under the leadership of the Vice-Chair of TCC was established which would work virtually to progress work intersessionally to undertake the CMS Future Work, including on audit points and the risk-based framework.

In 2021, the Commision supported the prioritisation of four streams of intersessional work for the CMS IWG and in 2022, endorsed the continuation of work into 2023:

  1. the development of audit points to clarify the Commission obligations assessed under the CMS as well as a checklist to be used by proponents of any proposal to include a list of potential audit points which has resulted in the adoption of some audit points and the checklist at WCPFC19 in 2022 with work on the remaining audit points to be prioritised for 2023;
  2. the development of a process for TCC to consider the aggregated tables alongside the draft CMR (paragraph 33 and 34 of CMM 2019-06) based on the proposed approach by the TCC Chair that was endorsed by WCPFC19 in 2022; and
  3. appropriate compliance assessment decision making processes.

In 2022, work was completed on the risk-based assessment framework, which was developed to inform compliance assessments and ensure obligations are meeting the objectives of the Commission. WCPFC19 endorsed this as a useful tool to guide CCMs consideration of future obligations for review through the CMR process. WCPFC19 also endorsed the continution of intersessional work on other workstreams through to TCC19 and WCPFC20 and endorsed the US as lead for work on corrective actions. A reference page for the CMS-IWG to progress the future work tasks may be found here.

Purpose of and Principles for the CMS Scheme

The purpose of the CMS Scheme is to ensure that Members, Cooperating Non-Members and Participating Territories (CCMs) implement and comply with obligations arising under the Convention and conservation and management measures (CMMs) adopted by the Commission. The purpose of the CMS is also to assess flag CCM action in relation to alleged violations by its vessels, not to assess compliance by individual vessels.  The CMS is designed to:

  • assess CCMs’ compliance with their WCPFC obligations;
  • identify areas in which technical assistance or capacity building may be needed to assist CCMs to attain compliance;
  • identify aspects of CMMs which may require refinement or amendment for effective implementation;
  • respond to non-compliance by CCMs through remedial and/or preventative options that include a range of possible responses that take account of the reason for and degree, the severity, consequences and frequency of non-compliance, as may be necessary and appropriate to promote compliance with CMMs and other Commission obligations (footnote 1. In accordance with the process for identifying corrective action, as provided for in paragraph 46(iv).); and
  • monitor and resolve outstanding instances of non-compliance by CCMs with their WCPFC obligations.

The implementation of the CMS and its associated processes shall be conducted in accordance with the following principles for the purpose of the application of this measure:

  • Effectiveness: Effectively serve the purpose of this CMM to assess compliance by CCMs and assist the TCC in fulfilling the provisions of Article 14(1)(b) of the Convention;
  • Efficiency: Avoid unnecessary administrative burden or costs on CCMs, the Commission or the Secretariat and assist TCC in identifying and recommending removal of duplicative reporting obligations; and
  • Fairness: Promote fairness, including by: ensuring that obligations and performance expectations are clearly specified, that assessments are undertaken consistently and based on a factual assessment of available information and that CCMs are given the opportunity to participate in the process.
  • Cooperation towards Compliance: Promote a supportive, collaborative, and non-adversarial approach where possible, with the aim of ensuring long-term compliance, including considering capacity assistance needs or other quality improvement and corrective action.

    2023 Key dates and annual reporting templates

    A current list of WCPFC annual reporting deadlines can be accessed, as an ICAL link and CSV export through the "Upcoming Events" page within the WCPFC website calendar

    Scientific Data to be Provided to the Commission 30 April 2023

    Annual Report Part 2 covering 2022 activities

    12 June 2023 (as decided at WCPFC19), submit by online interface using CCM-specific login and password. Further guidance guidance is provided in our new online support platform.

    Each CCM shall include in Annual Report Part 2, actions taken to address non-compliance identified in the final CMR from previous years.

    2021 Final Compliance Monitoring Report covering 2020 activities 3.08 MB

    Flag CCMs should lodge their annual MTU Audit Inspections through the enhanced Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV). Guidance on this new IT tool is here

    Fished and Did Not Fish Report covering 2022 activities

    Before 1 July of each year, each Member shall submit to the Executive Director a list of all vessels that appeared in its record of fishing vessels at any time during the preceding calendar year, together with each vessel’s WCPFC identification number (WIN) and an indication of whether each vessel fished for highly migratory fish stocks in the Convention Area beyond its area of national jurisdiction. The indication shall be expressed as (a) fished, or (b) did not fish.

    Flag CCMs should lodge their annual fished/did not fish reports through the enhanced Record of Fishing Vessels (RFV). Guidance on this new IT tool is here

    Annual Report Part 1, covering 2022 activities

    16 July 2023 (one-month prior to the annual regular session of the Scientific Committee)

    The Secretariat prepared latest version of the Addendum to Annual Report Part 1 for use in 2023: 

                                    Annual Report Part 1 template 456.73 KB122.39 KB

    The published Annual Catch and Effort (ACE) tables (Essential Fisheries Information Tables I-IV and Tabular Annual Fisheries Information Tables 1-5 and Figures 1-3 from Annual Report Part 1) that are based April 30 scientific data submissions and updates/corrections from CCMs, may be accessed from this link to the WCPFC ACE tables page: - https://www.wcpfc.int/ace-by-fleet

    Draft CMR covering 2022 activities circulated to each CCM

    27 July 2023 is the date specified in CMM 2021-03 for the Secretariat to circulate a draft CMR to each CCM for their review.

    The draft CMR will be based on the updated and agreed list of obligations to be assessed in the CMS List of obligations to be assessed by Compliance Monitoring Scheme 2022 (as updated at WCPFC18) (248.18 KB)

    CCM provides comments to Secretariat on draft CMR

    23 August 2023 is the date specified in CMM 2021-03 for CCMs to provide clarifications, amendments or corrections as necessary on the draft CMR, as well as to identify particular causes for compliance issues.

    Where applicable, a CCM may also submit a Capacity Development Plan with their draft CMR to the Secretariat (before 23 August 2023). Links to paper templates prepared by the Secretariat so as to assist CCMs in providing required information for CMM 2021-03 paragraph 14 is provided below:  

                            Capacity Development Plan 37.95 KB

                            

    Cooperating Non-Member Requests

    22 July 2023: in accordance with CMM 2019-01, CNMs must reapply annually for CNM status and their application should address all criteria in paragraph 2 of CMM 2019-01.  This is due 60 days before TCC19.  

    Latest updated electronic form for CNM requests: Cooperating Non-Member request template - last updated in 2020 (333.47 KB)

    Other key reporting deadlines A full and current list of WCPFC annual reporting deadlines may be accessed, as an ICAL link and CSV export through the "Upcoming Events" page within the WCPFC website calendar.  

    Page Updated 15 Jul, 2023
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