Background 

Authorized inspectors from WCPFC Members countries operating from vessels that are on the Register of Authorised Inspection Vessels can board and inspect WCPFC fishing vessels operating on the high seas within the Convention Area to verify compliance with WCPFC’s conservation and management measures (CMMs). These High Seas Boardings and Inspections (HSBI) are established in accordance with Article 26 of the WCPFC Convention and the procedures in CMM 2006-08. 

The new HSBI system supports the practical implementation of these requirements by enabling the electronic reporting of HSBI events, streamlining the notification, documentation and tracking of boarding events and supporting workflows to improve RFV data quality and automatically initiate compliance case files for alleged infringements. 

The aim is to make HSBI reporting more consistent and accurate, while minimizing repeated handling and data entry. 

 

Accessing the Inspections Webpage 

You can access the HSBI System at: https://inspections.wcpfc.int (see Image 1 below). Each user will need the required user permissions (see Image 2 below). 

Image 1: 

A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect., Picture 

User permissions are required for individual users and differentiate between users of the Inspecting CCM and those with an involved with the inspected vessel, particularly the flag CCM: 

Image 2: 

Picture 1308446154, Picture 

 

HSBI Event Types 

There are multiple stages to the reporting of HSBI however, some stages: 

  • will not apply to all boarding events; and 
  • some Inspecting CCMs provide reports for more stages than others – the below stages are designed to accommodate all CCMs current procedures.  

 

Status 

Definition 

Intent to Board 

The Inspecting CCM intends to board a flag CCMs vessel and provides supporting vessel details.  

For Inspecting CCMs entering this notification, an automated notification is provided to the flag CCM Authorities of Inspecting Vessels.  

Boarding* / Interrogation Occurred 

Indicates that a boarding and inspection has been completed, either by boarding or “interrogation” (i.e. via radio communications). If a serious alleged infringement is identified, this status is used to immediately notify the Authorities of the Fishing Vessel, satisfying CMM 2006-08 paragraph 32.  

The final report may still be pending at this stage. 

For an interrogation, this report may be the final report.  

*Some but not all CMMs report the completion of boarding.  

Completed - Final Report 

Indicates that the final report and any supporting documentation for a boarding and inspection event is available. This status satisfies CMM 2006-08 paragraph 30, which requires the report to be sent to both the Authorities of the Inspected Vessel and the Commission. Submission must occur within three full working days of the inspection. Where it is not possible to meet this timeframe, the authorities of the inspection vessel are to inform the authorities of the fishing vessel of the time period within which the report will be provided. 

Cancelled 

Indicates that the planned boarding and inspection did not take place, typically due to operational or safety reasons such as bad weather. No inspection occurred. 

It is desirable if CCMs indicate the specific reason for the cancellation to support preparation of reporting to the Commission. 

Boarding Refused 

Used when the vessel master refuses boarding by an authorized inspector. This status fulfills the requirement under CMM 2006-08 paragraph 26 to immediately notify the authorities of the fishing vessel and the Commission, including any explanation given for the refusal.