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Conservation and Management Measure 2019-05 on Mobulid Rays caught in association with Fisheries in the WCPFC Convention Area.

Country/Territory
Document type
Regulation
Date
2019
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Fisheries
Keyword
Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Marine fishes Cartilaginous fishes Bycatch
Entry into force notes
This measure will take effect on 1 January 2021.
Abstract

This Conservation and Management Measure (CMM), in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention, applies to all fishing vessels operating in the high seas and/or exclusive economic zones of the Convention area and flagged to Members, Cooperating Non-Members and Participating Territories (CCMs), and authorized to fish for highly migratory fish stocks in the Convention Area. CCMs shall prohibit their vessels from targeted fishing or intentional setting on mobulid rays in the Convention Area, as well as from retaining on board, transhipping, or landing any part or whole carcass of mobulid rays caught in the Convention Area. CCMs shall require their fishing vessels to promptly release alive and unharmed mobulid rays as soon as possible in a manner that will result in the least possible harm to the individuals captured. CCMs should encourage their fishing vessels to implement the handling practices detailed in Annex 1, while taking into consideration the safety of the crew. In the case of mobulid rays that are unintentionally caught and landed as part of a purse seine vessel’s operation, the vessel must, at the point of landing or transhipment, surrender the whole mobulid ray to the responsible governmental authorities, or other competent authority, or discard them where possible. Mobulid rays surrendered in this manner may not be sold or bartered. CCMs shall advise the Commission (in Part 2 of their Annual Report) on implementation of this CMM. Observers shall be allowed to collect biological samples of mobulid rays caught in the WCPFC Convention Area that are dead at haul-back.

Full text
English
Website
www.wcpfc.int