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Taiwan becomes a member of the “South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization”; fishing rights on South Pacific Ocean secured.

After submitting a written agreement to the “Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean”, Taiwan officially became a member of the “South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO)” on September 23rd 2012. The membership effectively secures the rights and interests of Taiwanese fishermen in the South Pacific high seas for fishing of the American Humboldt squid.

Establishment of SPRFMO concerns the rights and interest of Taiwanese vessels in squid fishing.

PRFMO is established based on the “Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean.” The mission of this organization is to manage non-highly migratory fishes (non-tuna), such as jack mackerel, orange roughly, and squid in the South Pacific high seas. This statement covers the issues that concern the operations of Taiwanese vessels engaged in fishing of the American Humboldt squid in the Southeast Pacific high seas near Peru. At present, there are around 20 large squid fishing vessels (700-ton) operating in the waters, with an annual catch of around 24,000 tons and output value over NT$1 billion.

The Convention took effect on August 24th 2012. On the same day, Taiwan submitted a written document of acceptance to the New Zealand Government through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New Zealand, which is the custodian country for the convention. This submission completed the legal proceedings for becoming a member, and after 30 days (since September 23rd 2012), Taiwan officially became a member of the organization.

Taiwan will become a partner in conservation and management of non-tuna fishery resources in the South Pacific with SPRFMO member countries.

The Fisheries Agency stressed that, after becoming a member of SPRFMO, Taiwan will have decision-making powers, including voting, which will help us secure our fishing rights in the South Pacific Ocean. This is another successful campaign for participation in international fisheries conventions as an entity engaged in fishing activities and granted membership status, following the “Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)" on December 2004 and the “Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)” on August 2010. It is also the first time that Taiwan has become a member of a non-tuna related international fisheries organization.

After becoming a member of SPRFMO, Taiwan will continue to guard the rights and interests of our fishermen and, with the determination to become a responsible fishing nation, will be actively involved in the conservation and management works of fishery resources in regional waters to ensure the sustainable development of the fishery resources.