NPFC High Seas Boarding & Inspection

    NPFC adopted the North Pacific Fisheries Commission’s High Seas Boarding and Inspection Implementation Plan 2018-2019

    Notifications that are required in accordance with CMM 2016-09 to be submitted by Members to the Commission, can be sent to the Secretariat via the official email address of NPFC.
    NPFC COM04 endorsed the following specifications related to high seas boarding and inspection procedures and updated them in 2021:

    1. Objective:

    The objective of this document is to outline a recommended plan for the implementation of the NPFC’s High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures as approved through CMM 2017-09 and updated by the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures by COM06.

    2. General Rights and Obligations

    Paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures state the “General Rights and Obligations” of Contracting Parties and Fishing Entities pertaining to the implementation of high seas boarding and inspection procedures within the NPFC Convention Area. These paragraphs from the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures are referenced as follows:

    “5.    Each Contracting Party may, subject to the provisions of these procedures, carry out boarding and inspection on the high seas of fishing vessels engaged in or reported to have engaged in a fishery regulated pursuant to the Convention.

    6.      These procedures shall also apply in their entirety as between a Contracting Party and a Fishing Entity, subject to a notification to that effect to the Commission from the parties concerned.

    7.      Each Member of the Commission shall ensure that vessels flying its flag accept boarding and inspection by authorized inspectors in accordance with these procedures. Such authorized inspectors shall comply with these procedures in the conduct of any such activities.”

    3. NPFC Inspection Flag and Pennant

    Paragraph 19 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures states that:

    “The Commission shall develop an NPFC inspection flag, which shall be flown by authorized inspection vessels, in clearly visible fashion.”

    The intended use of the flag is for inspection vessels, and the pennant for boarding launches.    

    The following Inspection Flag is intended to be used by authorized inspection vessels. The dimensions are 94 cm by 213 cm (height by length).

    The following Boarding Pennant is intended to be used by authorized inspection vessels. The dimensions are 44 cm by 66 cm (height by length)

     

     

    4. NPFC High Seas Boarding and Inspection Register for Authorized Vessels and Personnel

    Background

    As per paragraph 13 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures:

    “The Commission shall maintain a register of all authorized inspection vessels and authorities or inspectors. Only vessels and authorities or inspectors listed on the Commission’s register are authorized under these procedures to board and inspect fishing vessels of Commission Members and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties on the high seas within the Convention Area.”

    According to paragraph 14 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures:

    “Each Contracting Party that intends to carry out boarding and inspection activities pursuant to these procedures shall so notify the Commission, through the Executive Secretary, and shall provide the following:

    a. with respect to each inspection vessel it assigns to boarding and inspection activities under these procedures:

    1. details of the vessel (name, description, photograph, registration number, port of registry (and, if different from the port of registry, port marked on the vessel hull), international radio call sign and general communication channels);
    2. An example of the credentials issued to the inspectors by its authorities;
    3. notification that the inspection vessel is clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service;
    4. notification that the crew has received and completed training in carrying out boarding and inspection activities at sea in accordance with any standards and procedures as may be adopted by the Commission.”

    b. with respect to inspectors it assigns pursuant to these procedures:

    1. the names of the authorities responsible for boarding and inspection;
    2. notification that such authorities’ inspectors are fully familiar with the fishing activities to be inspected and the provisions of the Convention and conservation and management measures in force; and
    3. notification that such authorities’ inspectors have received and completed training in carrying out boarding and inspection activities at sea in accordance with any standards and procedures as may be adopted by the Commission.”

       
      * Notification of Inspectors and Inspection vessels crew training
      [Click here to access Members letters on training of inspectors and inspection vessel crews]

    In addition, paragraph 20 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures states:

    “Authorized inspectors shall carry an approved identity card identifying the inspector as authorized to carry out boarding and inspection procedures under the auspices of the Commission and in accordance with these procedures.”

    Since Members usually have their own identity cards for inspectors, they are required to transmit to the NPFC Secretariat for compiling and posting on the NPFC website samples of their respective inspection personnel identity cards.

    1. Vessel Authorization

    As per paragraphs 14 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures, (Compliance Authorized Official on behalf of Contracting Party or Fishing Entity) hereby notifies the Commission that it intends to carry out boarding and inspection activities pursuant to the CMM on High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures, and requests the following vessel(s) be added to the Registry.

    Note: Authorized patrol commencement dates between Chinese Taipei and other Members will be set by the Secretariat upon completion of Notification by Members regarding arrangements under paragraph 6 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures.

    [Click here to access Inspection Vessel Details]

     

    2. Compliance Authority/Inspection Vessel  Authority Contact information (pursuant to the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures common boarding procedures):

    As per the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures paragraph 14, each Member shall provide the names and 24/7 contacts for those authorities responsible for the Inspection Vessels and also the Inspectors in accord with the details required in the CMM, including letters certifying that inspectors and inspection vessel crews are training to the standards for HSBI required by the CMM. 

    [Click here to access Compliance Authorities]

    [Click here to access Inspection Vessel Authority Details]

     

    3. Authorities of the Fishing Vessel

    To promote effective high seas boarding and inspection, there is a need for all Members that have authorized their fishing vessels to fish in the NPFC Convention Area beyond areas of national jurisdiction, to provide to the Secretariat for circulation the name and contact of their respective “Authorities”. This will ensure that when their vessels are boarded, there is a listed “Authority” for the boarding Member to contact.

    [Click here to access Authorities of the Fishing Vessel]

     

    4. Sample Inspection Personnel ID Cards

    Paragraph 14. B. of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures states that

    “Authorized of Inspection vessels are to provide sample Inspector Identification cards"

    and Paragraph 20 notes that

    "Inspectors shall carry an approved identity card identifying the inspector as authorized to carry out boarding and inspection procedures under the auspices of the Commission and in accordance with these procedures.”

    Samples of Members' respective inspection personnel identity cards are noted here. 

    [Click here to access table of Members' Sample Inspector ID cards]

     

    5. Standardized Multi-Language Questionnaire

    In accordance with Paragraph 22 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures and to facilitate the HSBI activities, Members shall provide a translation from English to the language of each Member the Standardized Multi-Language Questionnaire approved by the Commission in July 2018.  The translated questionnaires are noted here. 

    [Click here to access table of each Member's translation of the Standardized Multi-Language Questionnaire]

     

    6. Notification by Members regarding arrangements under paragraph 6 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures (Fishing Entity)

    In accordance with Paragraph 6 of the CMM for High Seas Boarding and Inspection Procedures, "These procedures shall also apply in their entirety as between a Contracting Party and a Fishing Entity, subject to a notification to that effect to the Commission from the parties concerned."

    [Click here to access Members' notifications]

     

    The following shall be appended to this page when approved.

    • Standard Violation Case File