Conservation and Management Measure for Bottom Fisheries and Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean (2018-05). Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Fishing vessel Fishing gear/fishing method Fishing area Monitoring High seas Equipment Data collection/reporting Exploration Precautionary principle International relations/cooperation Integrated management Ecosystem preservation Deep sea bed Marine area Abstract This Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) of the North Pacific Fisheries Commission seeks to prevent and reduce possible adverse impacts of unregulated expansion of bottom fisheries on marine species and vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in the western part of the Convention Area. The CMM is to be applied to all bottom fishing activities throughout the high seas areas of the North-western Pacific Ocean. Its objective is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fisheries resources in the Convention Area while protecting the marine ecosystems of the North Pacific Ocean in which these resources occur. The implementation of this CMM shall: (a) be based on the best scientific information available, (b) be in accordance with existing international laws and agreements including UNCLOS and other relevant international instruments, (c) establish appropriate and effective conservation and management measures, (d) be in accordance with the precautionary approach, and (e) incorporate an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Full text English Website www.npfc.int