Guidelines for Non-entangling and Biodegradable FAD Materials

Citation
FAD MOIWGC (2021) Guidelines for Non-entangling and Biodegradable FAD Materials. In: WCPFC Scientific Committee 17th Regular Session. WCPFC-SC17-2021/EB-IP-07, Electronic Meeting
Abstract

In November 2020, the FAD Management Options Intersessional Working Group (FAD-IWG) developed Guidelines for non-entangling and biodegradable FADs, which was forwarded to the Commission. WCPFC17 provided the following recommendation (Paragraph 349, WCPFC17 Summary Report):

349. Noting that the SC16 and TCC16 could not complete the task in paragraph 22 of CMM 2018-01 due to the limited agenda resulting from COVID-19, the Commission tasked SC17 and TCC17 to review the draft guidelines for non-entangling and biodegradable FADs prepared by the FAD Management Options IWG (Attachment K). The FAD Management Options IWG should revisit the draft guidelines based on input from those bodies as well as any additional scientific and technical information on non-entangling and bio-degradable FADs.

Based on the above recommendation from the Commission, SC17 is requested to:
1. review the annexed Guidelines for non-entangling and biodegradable FADs;
2. provide scientific advice/input to the FAD-IWG to improve the Guidelines for non-entangling and biodegradable FADs with regards to the following:
a. design and materials used in the FAD structures (raft and/or tail),
b. format of the guidelines, including timeline for implementation,
c. other aspects that might be useful to develop practical and implementable guidelines; and
3. support and endorse the Guidelines for non-entangling and biodegradable FADs prepared by the FAD Management Options IWG, if no additional scientific advice/input is provided by SC17.