1. Presentation to the GFETW meeting
The Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency
Implementing the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Commission Management Measure (CMM) 2017 – 02 on Minimum Standards for Port State Measures for FFA Member Countries.
Presentation to the GFETW meeting
Bangkok, Thailand, February, 2019

2. Presentation Outline
Background and Timeline
FFA PSM initiatives - PSM Gap Analysis study
Pacific Island Port State Measures Project
FFA MTC’s
Implementing WCPFC CMM 2017 – 02
Examples of Country status
Future Developments

3. BACKGROUND AND TIME LINES
A draft PSM CMM was first submitted to
WCPFC by FFA Members at WCPFC 10 in 2013.
This was initially based on the suggestion
that the FAO PSM did not necessarily take
account of existing PSM initiatives such as FFA
Harmonised Minimum Terms and Conditions
(HMTCs) or a full risk based approach and was
limited to foreign vessels
The FFA draft CMM has been modified to take account of wider CCM inputs and regularly tabled for the consideration of WCPFC concerns and was finally adopted as CMM , coming in to force for CCMs as at 1 January, 2019

4. Background – PSM Gap Analysis Study, 2016
In 2016, to assist
FFA Members to make
informed decisions as
to how to deal with
PSM obligations FFA
commissioned a gap
analysis to examine the performance of FFA members’ existing port state controls against the PSMA and other relevant regional measures (e.g. FFA’s HMTC’s and relevant WCPFC CMMs).

5. Background - PSM Gap Analysis Study, 2016
The study included a
regional synopsis and
national status reports
suggested 3 options for
FFA Members to consider
for PSM development
Accede to the PSMA
Develop and agree a WCPFC PSM CMM
Strengthen PSM components of MTCs

6. FFA PSM Initiatives The FFA Secretariat has been providing
technical assistance to
FFA Members on PSM
development strategies
since the inception of
the PSMA. The role of the Secretariat is to assist Members in making informed and achievable decisions and implementing PSM strategies accordingly. This capacity has been enhanced since 2016 with the inception of the PIPSM Project

7. THE PACIFIC ISLAND PORT STATE MEASURES PROJECT (PIPSMP)
The project responds to the need to reduce IUU fishing through
improved monitoring of
catch unloadings, verification
of fishing vessel activities,
and a structured fishing vessel
inspection regime based on IUU
risk analysis.
The project goal “Reduced IUU fishing in the Pacific through cooperative monitoring, control and surveillance programmes” framed around four Outputs, each comprising a number of sub-outputs or tasks:

8. PIPSMP Output 1: agreements Develop a regional and
Framework developed for regional PSM recognising international
agreements
Develop a regional and
/or sub-regional framework
for PSM, recognising
international developments
including FAO PSMA.
3. Develop and implement
tools to apply the regional framework for PSM. ( data exchanges facilitated between regional information systems)

9. PIPSMP Output 2: National strategies
and implementation tools developed.
1. Develop National
strategies consistent
with the regional PSM
framework, to address
deficiencies and build
capacity to facilitate
the strengthening and implementation of PSM integrated with other regional work being undertaken with national fisheries related rules and regulations).
2. Develop tools to implement National strategies.

10. PIPSMP OUTPUT 3: Improved
National regulatory and governance
framework in PICs developed.
Support PICs to review,
enhance and develop
National level legislation,
regulation and policy
frameworks to apply PSM.
Support PICs to
implement their National level
PSM including regulatory and governance frameworks.
3. Provide support to PICs who are Parties to the FAO PSMA as requested.

11. PIPSMP OUTPUT 4: Training
programme to implement port state
measures developed and rolled out.
Develop a capacity
building training
programme which can
combine with other
existing training
programmes.
Roll out of capacity
building training programme and provision of mentoring across member states.

12. PIPSMP PROGRESS TO DATE
Four specialist
long term consultant
contracted to undertake
key tasks as identified
First regional PSM
workshop held in
Noumea in March 2018
Key tasks assigned to consultants to undertake drafting of PSM framework, summary of national PSM status for Members, overview of market access requirements and preparation of a risk assessment framework
Joint national workshops with FAO and Second Regional PSM workshop scheduled for March 2019

13. FFA Harmonised Minimum Terms and
Conditions for Access by Fishing Vessels
(MTC’s)
MTC’s were first
developed in 1983 to
regulate and provide
minimum standards for
access to FFA members
EEZs constitute one of
the FFA Members key
strategic tools to regulate access to their waters. They are a fundamental mechanism for setting leading standards for FFA Members to protect, as well as maximise their benefits from, their fisheries resources.

14. MTC’s The Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) has the responsibility for
adopting and amending
MTCs as they see fit
MTC’s are adopted
as minimum standards of
access and do not preclude any member from adopting more stringent standards
MTC’s are regularly reviewed and updated – most recently FFC 106 – May 2018

15. MTC’s Provide a framework for all foreign vessels
fishing within member
countries’ EEZs, to
operate under the same
rules
A uniform and
consistent application
is vital to assist the
Pacific Island States in undertaking enforcement of their laws and a cooperative and coordinated approach seeks to ensure the Pacific island States are not played off against each other in negotiating access agreements

16. MTC’s - Application of MTCs in Port
FFA members shall
take measures through
legislation or regulations
and in accordance with
international law to
exercise powers of port
State over fishing vessels in their ports, whether or not they are authorised to fish in those members’ EEZs. This includes the power to board fishing vessels and inspect their documentation, and carry out such other measures necessary for the conservation and management of stocks.

17. WCPFC CMM 2017 – 02 – Objective The measure includes provision for:
The purpose of this measure is to establish processes and procedures for CCMs to request that port inspections be undertaken on fishing vessels suspected of engaging in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of IUU fishing.
The measure includes provision for:
 General rights and obligations
Designation of Ports
Authorized fisheries Inspectors
Inspection requirements
Request for Port Inspection
Inspection procedures
Coordination and Communication
Special Requirements of SIDS
and Participating Territories
Periodic Review

18. Special Requirements of SIDS and Participating Territories
CCMs shall give full
recognition to the
Special Requirements of
SIDS, in relation to the
implementation of this
CMM.
CCMs shall cooperate
to establish appropriate
mechanisms to assist
Developing CCMs. These mechanisms shall include developing national and international port State measures; developing and enhancing MCS and training capacity including MCS PSM activities including access to technology and equipment;
assisting SIDS CCMs with the costs involved in any proceedings for the settlement of disputes that result from actions they have taken pursuant to this CMM.

19. Special Requirements of SIDS and Participating Territories
commence development
of a mechanism,
including through cost
recovery, to provide
funding support to SIDS
CCMs that undertake
inspections
use best endeavours to
finalize and agree this
mechanism by WCPFC16
encourage the use of SIDs ports of in order to increase the opportunity to undertake inspections

20. Special Requirements of SIDS and Participating Territories
In implementing any
obligation of this CMM,
where disproportionate
burden has been
demonstrated by a SIDS
CCMs shall cooperate
to identify mechanisms required to mitigate the burden of implementation
CCMs shall cooperate with that SIDS to adopt or obtain those mechanisms in order to assist that SIDS to implement that obligation
Implementing the Special Requirements under this CMM are best described as `Work in Progress”.

21. Examples of Country status
FFA Members are commonly bound by the MTC’s as minimum standards
Measures beyond
MTC’s are variously
implemented with
examples including:
One Members with very high levels of PS transhipment inspecting 100% of arriving vessels and monitoring 100% of transhipments
One Member with very high levels of longline vessel activity inspecting 100% of arrivals and 50% of all unloadings
One small atoll country with moderate levels of transhipment inspecting 100% of arriving vessels

22. Examples of Country status – common themes
There is a common need expressed that sourcing adequate resources – both physical and human, is a an ongoing challenge
Similarly, ensure effective and updated regulatory mechanisms are in place is often time consuming
For some Members, ensuring well established links between PSM related agencies is an ongoing challenge
There is a common goal to see PSM reporting systems electronically based and linked to a broader CDS systems

23. Future Developments FFA to host Regional PSM workshop in
March to focus on
the consolidation the
PSM framework and
the development of
national PSM strategies
Collaboration between PSM support agencies,
Consolidation of electronic reporting systems
Consolidation of PSM related training and integration with CDS

24. Thanks you for your attention!