Proposed purpose, scope, and process for the seabird CMM 2018-03 review

SC18 recommended a review of the Conservation and Management Measure to mitigate the impact of fishing for highly migratory fish stocks on seabirds (CMM 201803). This was endorsed by WCPFC19 in 2022. New Zealand offered to lead this review and here proposes the purpose, scope, and process for the review of CMM 2018-03. New Zealand proposes that the purpose of the review is: “To ensure that effective mitigation methods are required and applied across the Convention Area where there is bycatch risk to vulnerable seabirds from longline fishing.” New Zealand proposes key elements of the CMM 2018-03 review to include: 1) the spatial extent of required mitigation methods; 2) the Southern Hemisphere mitigation options and specifications; and 3) the Northern Hemisphere mitigation options and specifications. At SC19, New Zealand proposes a brief discussion on the purpose and scope of the CMM2018-03 review, with a particular focus on the evaluation of potential mitigation methods and/or specifications that could be improved to reduce seabird bycatch in the Convention Area. New Zealand also proposes the establishment of an informal intersessional working group to evaluate scientific research and input into the draft text of the revised seabird CMM for submission to SC20 and TCC20, and ultimately, WCPFC21 for consideration and adoption.