Implementation of IPOA/IUU - International MCS Network

62landings, port control, and inspections and regulation oftransshipment, as appropriate.To succeed in implementing this provision, States will need tocoordinate their activities through RFMOs to a greater extent than they havedone so to date. One model of strong cooperation in MCS efforts is provided bythe North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC), whose memberscoordinate closely in taking action against vessels that may be fishing for salmonand other anadromous stocks on the high seas of the North Pacific Ocean. 126The creation of real time catch and vessel monitoring systems to covermajor fisheries, for example, will require expansion and harmonization ofdiffering VMS arrangements currently in use by a number of States. ThroughRFMOs, States can develop common data formats, data sharing arrangementsand standards for maintaining the technical integrity of the systems. RFMOs canalso serve as a neutral recipient of VMS data to help preserve the confidentialityof any proprietary information that may be involved, while also facilitating theexchange of information necessary for effective MCS. 127Similarly, it may be possible to monitor changes of fishing vesselregistration in something approaching “real time.” Members of RFMOs could beobliged to report promptly to the RFMO on the registration of any new vesselsthat may operate in a fishery under the purview of the RFMO. To make thissystem effective, non-members must be encouraged to share such informationwith RFMOs as well.RFMOs can also develop schemes for boarding and inspecting fishingvessels on the high seas, as envisioned in paragraph 80.8 of the IPOA-IUU. 128For some fisheries, it may also be useful to create arrangements under whichmembers can exchange inspectors, with the aim of standardizing approaches toboarding and inspection. It may even be possible to create joint inspectionschemes, pursuant to which members of a RFMO provide personnel for a givenperiod of time to serve as inspectors who act on behalf of the RFMO itself. 129126 See, e.g. Report of the Committee on Enforcement, 9 th Annual Meeting of NPAFC(2001), NPAFC Doc. 581.127 For further discussion of the harmonization of VMS systems, see “Monitoring,Control, Surveillance and Vessel Monitoring System Requirements to Combat IUUFishing,” by John M. Davis.128 States that are party to the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement have consented to allowtheir vessels to be boarded and inspected on the high seas by officials of other Statesunder certain circumstances, in accordance with articles 21 and 22 of that Agreement.RFMOs have the possibility to develop or refine the rules under which such boardings andinspections may be carried out, or to establish alternate mechanisms to ensure compliance.129 See, e.g. NAFO’s Scheme of Joint International Inspection and Surveillance.