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title: "The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission strengthens its Seabird Conservation Measure"
---

# The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission strengthens its Seabird Conservation Measure

The 12th Regular Session of the [Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission](https://www.wcpfc.int/) ([WCPFC12](https://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/12th-regular-session-commission)) met from 3-8 December 2015 in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.

 The Session agreed to a proposal submitted by Japan (“Proposed amendments to CMM 2012-07 Seabirds - Explanatory note and application of CMM 2013-06” - [WCPFC12-2015-DP02b](https://www.wcpfc.int/node/26950)) to strengthen its Seabird Conservation Measure (“Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds” - [CMM 2012-07](http://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/CMM%202012-07%20Conservation%20and%20Management%20Measure%20for%20Mitigating%20impacts%20of%20fishing%20on%20Seabirds_rev.pdf)) to require longline fishing vessels that are less than 24 m in length fishing north of 23°N to use at least one seabird mitigation measure from Column A of Table 1 of CMM 2012-07.  Column A of Table 1 includes mitigation measures that are considered by ACAP to have proven efficacy in reducing seabird bycatch.

 The amendment to CMM 2012-07 also included a specification for short streamers for use on vessels less than 24 m.  As further research is required on the design and specifications of bird-scaring lines for these smaller vessels, it was agreed that the current specification would be reviewed no later than three years from implementation of the amended CMM, on 1 January 2017.  The review would be undertaken on the basis of scientific data submitted.

  

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-Tailed_Albatross_by_Aleks_Terauds1.jpg)

 Short-tailed Albatross at sea in the North Pacific, photograph by Aleks Terauds

 The meeting also considered a further proposal to amend CMM 2012-07 (“Proposal to Revise Conservation and Management Measure on Seabirds (CMM 2012-07)” - [WCPFC12-2015-DP11](https://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/WCPFC12-2015-DP11%20FFA%20proposal%20to%20revise%20CMM%202012-07%20Seabirds.pdf)), submitted by members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency ([FFA](http://www.ffa.int/)), to extend the area of application of CMM 2012-07 to south of 25°S, rather than the existing requirement for it to apply southwards from 30°S.  Consensus could not be achieved on this proposal and it was not agreed to.

 The Agreement was represented at WCPFC12 by its Executive Secretary, Warren Papworth.

 *Warren Papworth, ACAP Executive Secretary, 19 December 2015*