Convention for the Conservations and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific.

The objective of the Convention is to ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks in the western and central Pacific Ocean in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.
This Convention: (a) provides for the establishment and related matters of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean and the Commission a Scientific Committee and a Technical and Compliance Committee as subsidiary bodies to the Commission; (b) lays down principles and measures for conservation and management; and (c) defines duties of flag states in respect of enforcing obligations under this Convention vis-à-vis fishing vessels flying its flag and to enforce provisions of the Convention in general. The Commission shall develop a regional observer programme to collect verified catch data, other scientific data and additional information related to the fishery from the Convention Area and to monitor the implementation of the conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission. The Convention further contains provisions regarding: (a) recognition of the special requirements of developing States; (b) the peaceful settlement of disputes; and (c) duties of members of the Commission to control activities of vessels flying the flags of non-parties to this Convention which are engaged in fishing operations in the Convention Area.