Conservation and Management Measure for the Management of Bottom Fishing in the SPRFMO Convention Area (CMM 03-2021). Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2021 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 Bycatch Ecosystem preservation Protection of habitats Protected area Marine mammals Birds Abstract This Measure of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) together with CMM 3A-2020 (Deepwater Species) seeks through the application of the precautionary approach and an ecosystem approach to fisheries management, to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of deep sea fishery resources, including target fish stocks as well as non-target or associated and dependent species, and, in doing so, to safeguard the marine ecosystems in which these resources occur, including inter alia the prevention of significant adverse impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). 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 entire Convention Area. Members and CNCPs agree on various measures in respect of bottom fisheries to protect VMEs, 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 immediately within an encounter area of one nautical mile either side of the trawl track extended by one nautical mile at each end. 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. The CMM also concerns monitoring, control and reporting of bottom fishing and protection of mammals, sebirds and other animals of concern. Full text English Website www.sprfmo.int References - Legislation Repeals 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