High Seas Boarding & Inspection

High Seas Boarding & Inspection

High seas boarding and inspection (HSBI) are procedures allowing authorised vessels to board and inspect foreign-flagged fishing vessels on the high seas within the WCPFC Convention Area.

Why it matters:

• Ensures compliance with conservation and management measures
• Deters illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Promotes transparency among Members

Common elements of HSBI:

• Procedures document and notifications
• Use of inspection flags and pennants
• A central register of authorised inspection vessels and inspectors
• Communication tools (questionnaires, ID cards)
• Annual reporting

Procedures, Notifications, and Statistics

Inspection Flag & Pennant

Overview: Authorized inspection vessels fly the WCPFC inspection flag; boarding launches may fly a smaller pennant.

Flag: As approved at WCPFC4 for inspection vessels.
Pennant: Minimum size 44 cm (height) × 66 cm (length) for boarding launches (agreed at WCPFC17).

The inspection vessel’s assigned number appears in a contrasting colour on the lower right of the flag and upper right of the pennant.

High Seas Boarding & Inspection Register

The Commission maintains a register of all authorised inspection vessels and inspectors. Only those listed may carry out HSBI.

•   Australia

•  Canada

•  Cook Islands

•  China

•  Federated States of Micronesia

•  Fiji

•  France

•  Japan

•  Kiribati

•  Republic of Korea

•  New Zealand

•  Papua New Guinea

•   Chinese Taipei

•   Tuvalu

•  United States of America

Boarding may begin 60 days after the register is circulated to CCMs (per WCPFC3, para 155).

🔗 Register of Inspection Vessels

Authorities of the Inspection Vessel

Per Para 13(b), CCMs must submit the names of inspectors authorised under the Procedures.

🔗 Authorities of the Inspection Vessel

Fishing Entity Notifications (Para 6 of CMM 2006-08)

If a Contracting Party applies procedures to a Fishing Entity, it must notify the Commission.

Authorities of the Fishing Vessel

CCMs must provide contact details of their “Authorities” so inspectors know whom to contact when boarding.

🔗 Authorities of the Fishing Vessel

Standardized Multi-Language Questionnaire

To facilitate communication, a questionnaire is available in multiple languages.

Annual Reporting Requirements (Paras 40–41 of CMM 2006-08)

CCMs must include in Annual Report Part 2:

• Summary of the HSBI activities by their authorised inspection vessels of other CCMs flagged vessels, including violations detected
• The outcomes of any investigations into the activities of their vessels or proceedings against their vessels as a result of HSBI activities conducted by other CCMs

Useful for reporting: HSBI Summary Statistics

Authorized CCM users can access the list of inspected vessels here (login required): HSBI Report Portal

Sample Inspection Personnel ID Cards

Inspectors carry WCPFC-approved ID cards. Members have submitted samples:

Page last updated: 16 Aug 2024