Proposed revisions to CMM 2025-05 for Bottom Fisheries and Protection of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Rev. 1 updated with proposed process.

The attached paper was received by the Secretariat on 3 April 2026, that is, after the deadline.

At the COM 9, the Commission faced a similar case, namely, Vanuatu submitted a proposal on Pacific saury after the deadline. As in paragraph 89 of the COM 9 report, the conclusion was:

89. Vanuatu submitted a proposal to amend CMM 2024-08 for Pacific Saury (NPFC-2025-COM09-WP07) after the deadline for document submission. The Commission discussed the procedural matter of considering late submissions and agreed that while Vanuatu would not present its proposal formally, the substantive points could be raised during the course of discussions on Pacific Saury. Vanuatu noted that its position regarding special consideration for Small Island Developing States has not been taken into account in previous CMMs.

The COM Chair suggests that the Commission should follow the same procedure. If you have any concern, you can raise it under Agenda item 8.