Requirement in the event of non-deliberate encircling of whale shark in the purse seine net, including safe release
Full Text
4. CCMs shall require that, in the event that a whale shark is not deliberately encircled in the purse seine net, the master of the vessel shall(a) ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure its safe release.; and (b) report the incident to the relevant authority of the flag State, including the number of individuals, details of how and why the encirclement happened, where it occurred, steps taken to ensure safe release, and an assessment of the life status of the whale shark on release (including whether the animal was released alive but subsequently died). 4. In taking steps to ensure the safe release of the whale shark as required under paragraph 4(a), CCMs shall require the master of the vessel to follow any guidelines adopted by the Commission for the purpose of this measure.
Guidelines for safe release were adopted at WCPFC12 (2016) - see attached
Theme
Mitigating impacts of fishing on species of special interest