By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Tuna Commission Chair Dr Josie Tamate says the Commission is bracing for another difficult round of talks on high-seas transshipment, an issue that has divided Pacific states and distant-water fishing nations for years, but insisted her job is to steer members toward consensus or at least a clear path forward.
In an interview with PACNEWS in Manila, Dr Tamate said the Commission is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge.
“All proposals are important for the Commission. But we have a finite time available to discuss and reach consensus,” she said.
“Transhipment discussions have been ongoing for a number of years. In Fiji, the Commission agreed to disband the Working Group on transhipment. There was no resolve at the time and there was a need for a re-set. This year there are two proposals. The decision rests with the Commission on how to address the proposals and recommendations,” Dr Tamate told PACNEWS
Pacific SIDS have long argued that high-seas transshipment rules are too weak and create loopholes that fuel illegal,unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Dr Tamate said those concerns are firmly on the table.
“As mentioned, there are two proposals on the table on transhipment. There have been ongoing discussions as well, including studies commissioned by one of the SIDs,” she said.
“The key issue is that transhipment at high sea is not permit except if it is ‘impractical’ for a vessel to go into an authorised port to tranship…. The Commission will continue to work towards improving monitoring and compliance through the Working Groups on Observer Programme and Electronic Monitoring and Reporting, including the TCC.”
But with distant-water fishing nations resistant to tighter controls, the Chair acknowledged the political balancing act ahead.
“My job as the Chair is to listen and facilitate the discussions in search of consensus,” she said.
“If there is no consensus, the best outcome is to determine next steps and future taskings either through an intersessional working group and/or through the subsidiary bodies. The subsidiary bodies are important for the WCPFC. The WCPFC takes into account the recommendations from the subsidiary bodies as part of their decision making process.”
WCPFC22 will run throughout the week, with transshipment expected to feature among the most closely watched negotiations.
