Analysis of vessel charter mechanism of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission(WCPFC),a regional fishery manage-ment organization,was established in 2004,which is responsible for conserving and managing the high-ly migratory fish stocks in Western and Central Pacific Ocean.There are currently 26 members,7 par-ticipating territories and 9 cooperating non-members parties,of them,19 belong to small island develo-ping states(SIDS).SIDS have abundant fishery resources and good fishing grounds in the exclusive e-conomic zone,and the potential to be exploited in the future.Distant Water Fishing Nations(DWFN)have fishing capacity to exploit the tuna stocks,but not the ideal fishing grounds.In order to increase the fishing opportunity and explore fishing grounds for DWFN,and facilitate SIDS tuna fisheries,the WCPFC adopted the conservation and management measures of vessel charter notification during the sixth regular session of WCPFC in 2009.By analyzing the vessel charter mechanism of WCPFC,in this article we presented the current situation of the Chinese-flag tuna fishing vessels chartered by SIDS,ai-ming to overcome the limitations of the vessel charter mechanism.China should actively promote the establishment of multi-year charter mechanisms with SIDS,continue to promote bilateral cooperation among SIDS governments,increase land-based investment in island countries,and enhance the possibil-ity of Chinese-flag tuna fishing vessel being chartered,thus win the living space for China distant water enterprises.While quotas and the number of vessels are restricted,a variety of cooperation methods should be explored,actively participate in the international affairs and fight for legitimate rights and in-terests.
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission(WCPFC)Vessel charterSmall Island Developing States(SIDS)Tuna fishery