Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area (CMM 03-2018). Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2018 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Fishing gear/fishing method Data collection/reporting Monitoring Protected fishing area Ecosystem preservation Protection of habitats Abstract This Measure of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) seeks to promote the sustainable management of bottom fisheries including target fish stocks as well as non-target species taken as bycatch, in these fisheries, and to protect the marine ecosystems in which those resources occur, including inter alia, the prevention of significant adverse impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems (as defined by the FAO Deep-sea Fisheries Guidelines). It applies to all fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member or Cooperating non-Contracting Party (CNCP) to SPRFMO engaging or intending to engage in bottom fishing in the Convention Area. Members and CNCPs agree on various measures in respect of bottom fisheries, including prohibiting vessels flying their flag from participating in bottom fishing activities in the Convention Area, except in accordance with the provisions of this CMM and requiring vessels flying their flag to cease bottom fishing activities within five nautical miles of any site in the Convention Area where evidence of a VME is encountered above threshold levels established under this CMM in the course of fishing operations. No Member or CNCP shall authorise their flagged vessels to engage in any bottom fishing within the Convention Area unless they have undertaken an assessment of the impact of their flagged vessels’ bottom fishing. The CMM specifies functions of the Commission and the Scientific Committee in respect of data development regarding bottom fishing and the identification and closure of VMEs. It also concerns monitoring, control and reporting of bottom fishing. Full text English Website www.sprfmo.int References - Legislation Repealed by Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area (CMM 03-2019). Legislation | 2019 Keyword: Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Fishing gear/fishing method, Data collection/reporting, Monitoring, Protected fishing area, Ecosystem preservation, Protection of habitats Source: FAO, FAOLEX