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The international consultations over the proposed South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation have been successfully concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of the High Seas Fishery Resources of the South Pacific Ocean in Auckland, New Zealand on 14 November 2009 (http://www.southpacificrfmo.org).  The Convention will be open for signature from 1 January 2010.

 When the Convention enters into force, the gap that exists in the international conservation and management of non-highly migratory fisheries ("non-tuna stocks") and protection of biodiversity in the marine environment extending from the most eastern part of the southern Indian Ocean through the Pacific towards the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of South America will be closed. 

The new RFMO  has come about  after three and a half years of negotiations and the holding of eight  diplomatic conferences.  The Convention text represents one of the most modern examples of fishery management legal instrument, encompassing ecosystem considerations together with the precautionary approach principle.  The fish regulated under the new Convention include both demersal and pelagic species, such as Jack Mackerel, Orange Roughy, oreos, Alfonsino and Bluenose.

Click here for the convention text.

 The new RFMO allows for a consideration of reducing effects on non-target species. It will come into force after eight Parties have ratified or acceded to the Convention.

Se also http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/2009/com09_70_en.htm.

 John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 23 November 2009