By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has received eight applications for Cooperating Non-Member (CNM) status for 2026, with all requests coming from countries already granted CNM status in 2025.
But the road to renewal will hinge on compliance, data reporting and attendance issues flagged by the Commission’s technical bodies.
According to a paper presented at the WCPFC22 in Manila, the Secretariat confirmed that Bahamas, Curaçao, Ecuador, El Salvador, Liberia, Panama, Thailand and Viet Nam all submitted applications on time under CMM 2019-01, which governs how the Commission screens CNM requests.
The WCPFC also confirmed all eight applicants have paid their 2025 financial contributions in full — a core requirement for maintaining CNM status.
But the Commission’s Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC21) raised a series of concerns that WCPFC22 will now have to resolve.
TCC21 told the Commission it had reviewed all eight applications and forwarded them for decision, but not without warnings.
“TCC21 reminded CNM applicants of the obligations included in CMM 2019-01, particularly paragraph 3 and paragraph 11(a), which states that CNMs shall ‘comply with all conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission’,” the committee said.
It also noted missing or late information from several applicants, including: Curaçao: transhipment data, El Salvador and Ecuador-responses to VMS audit points and Viet Nam- comments on its compliance record TCC21 asked those countries to submit the missing information during the meeting or within 21 days. Curaçao and
Viet Nam delivered their responses during TCC21, El Salvador provided its VMS audit responses within the deadline, and Ecuador submitted its responses on 25 November.
But attendance issues remain unresolved.
“TCC21 noted that Bahamas, Ecuador and Liberia were not present at the meeting and requested them to clarify the reason why they were unable to attend,” the report said. No additional information has since been provided.
The committee also warned of inconsistencies in some applications.
“TCC21 noted the discrepancies between the intended fishing activities as shown in the application template and those that they are actually engaging in, and requested that the applicants provide updated information,” the report stated. No updated information has been received.
The committee further urged CNMs to:
*Ensure timely payment of financial contributions
*Provide all required data under WCPFC measures
*Improve VMS data sharing to help deter IUU fishing
*Use electronic tools such as the Transhipment Electronic Reporting System (TSER) if transhipping on the high seas .
During WCPFC22, a small working group is expected to be convened to prepare draft decisions on CNM status and participatory rights for 2026.
The Secretariat has recommended the Commission review the eight applications and decide each state’s CNM status and associated rights for next year.
