Cook Islands National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds (NPOA-Seabirds).

This Cook Islands NPOA-Seabirds covers flag vessels involved in longline, trawl and troll operations in the Pacific and Indian oceans and plans to fish for krill in Antarctica. The plan contains the following themes: a. Implementation of mitigation measures where required; b. On-going monitoring and assessment of all fishing operations; c. Code of Practice; d. Education and awareness; e. Research; f. Enhancement of monitoring capability including: i. Increased observer coverage; ii. Enhanced training of observers; iii. Non-fish by-catch logsheets observer logsheets; iv. Use of remote monitoring; partnerships with fishers to develop efficient fishing operations and monitoring systems to benefit the nation while ensuring resources are harvested on a sustainable basis and with due regard to the ecosystem; and bilateral and multilateral cooperation with neighboring and like-minded States to enhance fisheries management including through the development of effective, governance systems, research and monitoring. The Plan proposes mitigating actions to protect seabirds in various listed fisheries and also concerns monitoring, reporting and observer coverage. All measures are applied as a condition of license for vessels operating within the EEZ and as a condition of authorization for those vessels operating outside fishery waters. Overall management of fishing vessels is through the Tuna Management Plan and Distant Water Fishery Plan implemented by the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR). The Ministry will work with the fishing industry to develop mitigation measures which may include input controls and codes of practice.