Exercising of boarding and inspection on the high seas, to enhance enforcement at sea

For the purpose of conserving and managing highly migratory fish stocks (including tunas, billfish, and sharks), so as to achieve the goal of sustainable utilization of these fisheries resources, regional fisheries management organizations were established in respective oceans of the world. In the western and central Pacific Ocean, as soon as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was established in 2004, Taiwan became a member of the Commission, to share the obligation of managing the resources in the region.

In view of the vast extent of activities of fishing vessels operating in the high seas areas, management by flag States alone would not be cost-effective and beyond their capability. To ensure effective implementation of the Convention for the Conservation and Management of the Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, as well as the conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission, in 2006, WCPFC adopted the WCPFC Boarding and Inspection Procedures (CMM2006-08), establishing boarding and inspection procedures for the inspecting vessels of Parties and Members, to conduct boarding and inspection of fishing vessels on the high seas in the Convention Area. It was envisage through the cooperation of all members in the joint enforcement efforts, better conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks (tunas, billfish and sharks) could be achieved.

After the adoption of the Boarding Inspection Procedures, from 2007 Taiwan successively exchanged notes with New Zealand, Cook Islands, the United States, Japan and France, for reciprocal high seas boarding and inspection of fishing vessels. As from 2008, training of fishermen on duty and inspecting officers were conducted in accordance with the said procedures. To-date 11 government vessels have been registered with the Commission for conducting boarding and inspection on the high seas, joining with other members in combating IUU fishing activities. The ten qualified inspecting vessels include No. 2 Yu Shiun from the Fisheries Agency, and Xunhu No. 1 and 2 from the Coast Guard Administration. They have been dispatched to the western and central Pacific Ocean 2 to 4 trips annually for surveillance and inspection mission. In 2014, two trips were made, with a total cruising distance of 22,759 nautical miles, during which 12 domestic vessels were boarded and inspected, guiding fishermen to comply with the measures adopted by the Commission, and the result has proven to be satisfactory.