By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The upcoming week in December marks a critical time for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) as concerns mount over ongoing issues of monitoring and high-seas transshipment. Bubba Cook, the Sharks Pacific Policy Director, has expressed reservations about the Commission’s progress, indicating that members are still evading essential truths regarding these significant matters.
In a recent interview with PACNEWS, Cook characterized the current movement towards electronic monitoring as minimal and emphasized the uncertainty surrounding any substantial action on high-seas transshipment, which remains a deeply divisive issue within the Commission. “I don’t see ‘concrete progress’ occurring at this meeting with respect to electronic monitoring/observer coverage,” Cook stated.
While there appear to be some incremental advancements, such as the agreement on audit standards for Electronic Monitoring (EM) programs and revived momentum for the Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring (EREM) Working Group, Cook pointed out that entrenched opposition persists. Notably, he remarked on the resistance from countries and fleets that have historically contested the expansion of observer coverage, anticipating that these entities will continue to stand against changes until market and technological pressures make them unavoidable.
Regarding high-seas transshipment, Cook’s analysis is stark. He conveyed that while there are glimmers of hope, there is a distinct lack of confidence in achieving genuine reforms during this meeting. He criticized Korea’s proposal, describing it as a mere attempt to maintain the status quo while shifting the responsibility for monitoring and control onto Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Cook expressed concern over the widening divide between the desires of Asian distant-water fishing nations (ADWFN) to maintain lax transshipment oversight and the imperative need to safeguard the region’s marine resources. He noted that Pacific Island states are nearing a tipping point, with the Marshall Islands advocating for an outright ban on high-seas transshipment, a stance reminiscent of their position from 2008.
A significant hurdle in driving reforms, according to Cook, is the WCPFC’s consensus system, which enables member nations to obstruct even modest changes without facing repercussions. He underscored that pressing the issue to a vote might be the sole method to break the deadlock, forcing the ADWFN to be accountable for their resistance to necessary reforms.
As the Manila meeting approaches, the focus will be on whether the Commission can confront the pressing issues of high-seas accountability or if it will continue to sidestep decisive actions. In navigating these challenges, there remains a potential for positive change, should the Commission seize the moment to implement meaningful reforms that prioritize sustainability and accountability in Pacific fisheries.