Coronavirus related measures

This page has been developed noting that the fishing industry is not immune to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and because the Secretariat has been fielding queries as to how the COVID-19 related measures imposed by Members, Cooperating Non-members and Participating Territories (CCMs) affect obligations under various WCPFC conservation and management measures (CMMs). The Secretariat’s response to those queries was that until the Commission decide otherwise, obligations under those CMMs as agreed remain unchanged.  As at 13 June 2022, the Commission has on twelve (12) occassions taken decisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:-

Decisions adopted by the Commission in response to COVID-19

Symbol	Title	Files	Date of Issue
Circ 2020-24	Commission Decision in response to COVID-19 regarding suspension of requirement for purse seine observer coverage until 31 May 2020	(290.39 KB)	8 Apr 2020
Circ 2020-28	Commission Decision in response to COVID-19 related to purse seine transhipment activities until 31 May 2020	(154.08 KB)	20 Apr 2020
Circ 2020-38	Commission Decision in response to COVID-19 regarding suspension of requirement for at-sea transhipment observers until 31 May 2020	(141.71 KB)	13 May 2020
Circ 2020-46	Commission Decision to extend the decisions in response to COVID-19 until 31 July 2020	(105.64 KB)	28 May 2020
Circ 2020-71	Commission Decision to extend the decisions in response to COVID-19 until 31 October 2020	(85.5 KB)	23 Jul 2020
Circ 2020-125	Commission Decision to extend the decisions in response to COVID-19 until 15 February 2021	(171.28 KB)	22 Oct 2020
Circ 2021-09	Outcome of Proposed Extension of WCPFC Decisions in the Context of COVID-19 relating to Purse Seine Observer Coverage, At-Sea Transhipment for Purse Seine Vessels, and At-Sea Transhipment Observers until 15 May 2021	(102.29 KB)	15 Feb 2021
Circ 2021-27	Outcome of Decision on Extension of WCPFC Decisions in the Context of COVID-19 relating to Purse Seine Observer Coverage, At-Sea Transhipment for Purse Seine Vessels, and At-Sea Transhipment Observers until 15 August 2021	(106.11 KB)	12 May 2021
Circ 2021-67	Outcome of Decision on Extension of WCPFC Decisions in the Context of COVID-19 relating to Purse Seine Observer Coverage, At-Sea Transhipment for Purse Seine Vessels, and At-Sea Transhipment Observers until 15 December 2021	(650.16 KB)	10 Aug 2021
Circ 2021-105	Decision on Extension of WCPFC Decisions in the Context of COVID-19 relating to Purse Seine Observer Coverage, At-Sea Transhipment for Purse Seine Vessels, and At-Sea Transhipment Observers until 15 March 2022	(104.77 KB)	10 Dec 2021
Circ 2022-11 & Circ 2022-12	Outcome of Decision on Extension of WCPFC Decisions in the Context of COVID-19 relating to Purse Seine Observer Coverage, At-Sea Transhipment for Purse Seine Vessels, and At Sea Transhipment Observers until 15 June 2022	(718.85 KB)	15 Mar 2022
Circ 2022-40	Outcomes from SS4 - COVID-19 Intersessional Decisions	(257.62 KB)	13 Jun 2022

A copy of a paper prepared by the Secretariat to respond to the tasking in the COVID-19 Decision contained in Circular No. 2020/71 that the Secretariat prepare a note for the consideration of TCC particularly on the measures taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 on fishing vessels and on travel and port entry restrictions in CCMs can be accessed here:- TCC16-2020-14  A paper was also prepared by the Secretariat for consideration by the Commission at WCPFC17, and it includes additional information and updates to the paper provided to TCC16, this paper can be accessed here:- WCPFC17-2020-08 The latest version of the paper prepared by the Secretariat for consideration by TCC17 and WCPFC18 can be accessed here:- TCC17-2021-14  and WCPFC18-2021-08 

Links shared by CCMs on their respective governments' measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 that may be relevant to the WCPO Fishery

The Secretariat has also received from some CCMs updates on their respective governments’ measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19.  The purpose of this page is to provide links to information of relevance to the WCPO fishery that CCMs may wish to share for other CCMs to access on their respective governments' measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.   Where possible the information below provides URL links to the official government source for the relevant information.  The page will be updated as additional updates are received from CCMs.

Federated States of Micronesia

• NORMA communication with respect to Presidential COVID-19 decree regarding temporary measures applying to transhipment activities in the FSM 1.89 MB {issued April 3, 2020}

French Polynesia

• Briefing Note for Fishing Vessel Owners Polynesian Maritime Affairs Directorate: Original was in French and a courtesy English translation was also provided 242.47 KB1.27 MB {issued November 3, 2020}

Forum Fisheries Agency

• FFA decision on temporary suspension of observer coverage on purse seine vessels 241.33 KB{issued March, 27 2020}

• FFA COVID-19 Operating Protocols for the Fishing Sector in the Pacific - minimising the risk of transmitting COVID-19 in the fisheries sector at sea and in ports in the Pacific 2.53 MB {Version 5.2 issued 1 January, 2022}

Japan

• Fisheries Agency of Japan issued “Basic guidelines for dealing with occurrence of COVID-19 in fisheries and continuing fishery operations” 59.86 KB {issued during 2020}

Republic of Korea

• Measures taken by Korea to combat the spread of COVID-19: Korea Disease Control and Protection Agency COVID-related Press Releases {updated 6 August 2021}

Republic of Marshall Islands 

• RMI travel Advisory re COVID-19 233.66 KB {issued April 2, 2020}

Papua New Guinea

• NFA Mandatory Measures to mitigate the spread of Covid19 1.9 MB {issued March, 23 2020}

Parties to the Nauru Agreement

• PNA decision to temporarily suspend observer coverage in the purse seine fishery in PNA waters in response to Covid19 conditions  102.31 KB {issued March, 27 2020}
• Confirming PNA additional conditions relating to carriage of observers by purse seine vessels during the period of  the Commission agreed temporary suspension 159.65 KB {issued 14 April 2020}

Footnote: This page relates to a current global pandemic. Information regarding this event may change rapidly and may be unreliable. The updates to this page are dated, so that users may more easily check whether this is the most current information about this pandemic for all areas.