kelleherdiscussionpapervmswcpfc（50页）.docVIP

WCPFC Preparatory COnference Sixth session Bali, Indonesia 19 - 23 April 2004 WCPFC/PrepCon/WP.23 2 April 2004 DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE INSTITUTIONAL OPTIONS FOR VMS COOPERATION AMONG THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN Prepared by the Interim Secretariat Summary The discussion paper reviews the basis for VMS in international law and in terms of the Convention. The scope and operational arrangements for VMS made by regional fisheries organisations are described and the key differences and points of interest highlighted. As a basis for further discussion, the institutional approaches to building a WCPFC VMS are suggested. Technical, legal and procedural issues are identified, which require further analysis and deliberation among the Contracting Parties. Examples of measures and regulations governing VMS arrangements at a multilateral level are appended. Contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Scope of the discussion paper 1 1.2. Terminology 1 2. Legal and institutional basis for VMS 2 2.1. Legal basis for VMS at global level 2 2.2. Regional WCPFC context 3 2.3. VMS systems of the participants in the Conference 5 3. Multilateral arrangements for VMS cooperation 6 3.1. Types of institutional architecture 6 3.2. VMS under the Common Fisheries Policy (EU) 7 3.3. Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) 8 3.4. Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) 9 3.5. Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) 9 3.6. Other regional fisheries organisations 11 4. Institutional Options for the WCPFC 13 4.1. Defining the target fleet 13 4.2. Areas and jurisdictions 14 4.3. Types of VMS information 15 4.4. System architecture 17 4.5. Confidentiality 20 4.6. Responsibility for VMS 21 4.7. Costs and benefits 21 4.8. Technical issues 22 4.9. Legal issues 25 5. Conclusions 26 6. Annex 1. Reported numbers of fishing vessels with VMS in the Convention area 29 7. A