Implementation of IPOA/IUU - International MCS Network

61inform the flag State of those identifications and receive from flag Statesinformation on actions taken in response. 123 At a minimum, RFMOs can requiretheir members to report on violations committed by their vessels and penaltiesimposed as a consequence. 1248.3.3 Better Collection and Exchange of InformationRFMOs can be focal points for the collection and dissemination of awide variety of information relating to IUU fishing. To fulfil this role, however,members of RFMOs must reliably provide information to the RFMOs not onlyon their own vessels, but also on vessels of other States that fish in waters undertheir jurisdiction and that use their ports. Members of RFMOs must also bewilling to provide appropriate market data to RFMOs, including information onfishery imports and exports. In this regard, Paragraph 80.3 of the IPOA-IUUrecognizes that RFMOs should develop and implement “comprehensivearrangements for mandatory reporting.”Paragraph 80.4 of the IPOA-IUU calls on States to establish andcooperate in the exchange of information on vessels engaged in or supportingIUU fishing. RFMOs can serve as hubs for sharing of this information as well.For example, RFMOs can develop lists of vessels that are believed to haveengaged in IUU fishing, as well as lists of all vessels fishing in areas under theirrespective purviews. RFMOs can also develop databases of informationconcerning fishing violations and prosecutions. The FFA, for example, maintainsa database on vessels that have violated the fisheries laws of its members. Itmight be possible for RFMOs to make such databases generally available to flagStates in order for them to know whether a particular vessel seeking registrationor a license to fish has previously engaged in IUU fishing. 1258.3.4 Improved Monitoring, Control and SurveillanceThe collection and dissemination of information described above shouldalso extend to “real time” situations involving possible IUU fishing. In thisconnection, paragraph 80.7 of the IPOA-IUU encourages:development of MCS, including ... real time catch and vesselmonitoring systems, other new technologies, monitoring of123 See Annex VII to the 1999 Agreement on the International Dolphin ConservationProgram.124 See, e.g. article 14 of the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the NorthAtlantic Ocean; article 24 of the 1998 NEAFC Recommendation on a Scheme of Controland Enforcement in Respect of Fishing Vessels Fishing in Areas Beyond the Limits ofNational Fisheries Jurisdiction in the Convention Area.125 See T. Aqorau, supra note 33.