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Arrangement between the Government of Solomon Islands and the Taiwan Deep Sea Tuna Boat Owners and Exporters Association concerning Purse Seine Fishing within the Fishery Limits of Solomon Islands [2006] PITSE 8 (20 September 2006)

ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS
AND
THE TAIWAN DEEP SEA TUNA BOATOWNERS AND EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION
CONCERNING
PURSE SEINE FISHING WITHIN THE FISHERY LIMITS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

(Honiara, 20 September 2006)

STATUS REPORT

THE GOVERNMENT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS, hereinafter referred to as "the Government", and the TAIWAN DEEP SEA TUNA BOAT-OWNERS AND EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as "the Association", for themselves and for the members and their vessels under the Association fishing within the 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone of Solomon Islands, hereinafter referred to as "Solomon Islands EEZ",

HAVING regard to the Agreement on Fisheries between the Government and the Government of the Republic of China dated 10"' October 1983, wherein Association fishing vessels eligible under this bilateral fisheries agreement are allowed access to Solomon Islands EEZ.

RECOGNISING the Government exercises, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement and other principles and practices of international law, sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing the living resources within Solomon Islands EEZ;

DESIROUS of establishing reasonable terms and conditions governing the operation of fisheries of mutual interest over which the Government exercises jurisdiction, and in consideration of the promises, performances and payments herein below described and intending to be legally bound thereby, the Parties;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Fishing by members of the Association and their vessels in the Solomon Islands EEZ in which the Government exercises jurisdiction over fishery resources shall be in accordance with the Fisheries Act 1998, any Regulations made thereunder, this Arrangement and the terms and conditions in the Appendix and Attachments hereto which shall be integral parts thereof.

2 For the purposes of this Arrangement,

(i) "fishing" means-

(a) searching for, catching, taking or harvesting fish;

(b) attempting to search for, catch, take or harvest fish;

(c) engaging in any other activity which can reasonable be expected to result in locating, catching, taking or harvesting fish;

(d) placing, searching for or recovering fish aggregating devices or associated electronic equipment such as radio beacons;

(e) any operation at sea directly in support of or in preparation for any activity described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d);

(f) use of any other vehicle, air or sea borned, for any activity described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) except for emergencies involving health and safety of the crew or the safety of a vessel.

(ii) "fishing trip" means the period from the date of entry into Solomon Islands EEZ to the date of discharge of all of a vessel's catch or any part thereof either ashore or onto another vessel;

(iii) "fishing vessel" means any vessel used or intended for use for the purpose of fishing, including support ships, carrier vessels, and any other vessel directly involved in such fishing operations;

(iv) "operator" means any person who is in charge of, responsible for the operation of, directs or controls a fishing vessel, including the owner, charterer or roaster.

(v) "transshipment" means the unloading of any or all of the fish on board a fishing vessel onto another fishing vessel either at sea or in port;.

3. The Government and the Association shall hold consultations, whenever necessary or applicable, concerning the implementation of this Arrangement.

4. The Government shall issue a permit to a fishing vessel of a member of the Association to engage in fishing within Solomon Islands EEZ in accordance with the provisions of this Arrangement and the terms and conditions specified in the Appendix to this Arrangement and the relevant laws and regulations of Solomon Islands and including the Shipping Act 1998.

5. A member of the Association shall make payments, through the Association, of fees determined by the Government in accordance with the provisions of this Arrangement, to the Government, in advance of the issuance of a permit.

6. The Government shall authorize a vessel with a permit issued in accordance with paragraph 4 of this Arrangement, to take and retain, within Solomon Islands EEZ, all species of tuna and billfish, together with all species or marine living resources which are incidentally caught with the exception of turtles and marine mammals.

7.

(i) The Association shall ensure that their fishing vessels comply with the laws of Solomon Islands and the provisions of this Arrangement. The Government shall inform the Association of any changes to its fisheries laws without delay.

(ii) The Association shall, at the request of the Government, ensure the investigation of any alleged breach of any applicable laws and regulations of Solomon Islands, including an alleged breach of the provisions of this Arrangement by a member's vessel, its crew or officers and shall promptly communicate all requested information to the Government.

8.

(i) A vessel operator and each member of the crew shall while within the Solomon Islands EEZ allow and assist boarding by duly authorized officers of Solomon Islands countries for the purposes of inspection or enforcement and fully Cooperate at all times during such inspection or enforcement that may be taken pursuant to the laws and regulations of Solomon Islands.

(ii) An authorized officer shall conduct each boarding and inspection as much as possible in a manner so as not to interfere unduly with the lawful operation of the vessel.

9. The Government shall give prompt notification through the agent appointed in accordance with paragraph 12 of this Arrangement, informing the Association of the seizure of a vessel of a member of the Association or the arrest of its crew. The Government shall also inform the Association through its agent in Honiara of the outcome of any subsequent legal proceeding with respect to such seized vessel(s) or the arrested crew. The arrested crew or seized fishing vessel(s) shall be released promptly subject to payment of a reasonable bond or other security as may be determined by the courts of Solomon Islands in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

10.

(i) Upon request by the Government and under an agreed arrangement with the Association concerned and in accordance with agreed procedures, Fisheries Observers duly authorized by the Government and including an observer from a regionally agreed observer programme of the FFA member countries shall be placed on board vessels operating in the Solomon Islands EEZ under this Arrangement.

(ii) The operator of the vessels shall provide the observer, while on board the vessels, at no cost to the Government or the FFA member country concerned, with food, accommodation and medical facilities of such reasonable standards equivalent to that provided to officers of the vessels. This mutual agreement between the Government and the Association concerned shall cover costs for such observers which will include-

(a) full travel costs from and back to Solomon Islands;

(b) salary; and

(c) full insurance coverage.

(iii) The operator and each member of the crew of the member vessel of the Association in respect of which a permit has been issued under this Arrangement, while operating within Solomon Islands EEZ, shall allow and assist observers pursuant to paragraph (i) of this Article to:

(a) board the vessel for scientific, compliance, monitoring and other functions at the point and time notified by the Government or FFA to the Association;

(b) have full access to and use of the facilities and equipment on board the vessel which the observer may determine is necessary to carry out his or her duties provided that the observer shall not interfere with lawful operation of the vessel;

(c) have full access to the bridge, fish on board and areas which may be used to hold, process, weigh or store fish;

(d) have full access to the vessel's records including its log-books and other documentation for the purpose of inspection or copying; and

(e) gather any other information relating to fisheries in the Solomon Islands EEZ without unduly interfering with the lawful operation of the vessels.

(iv) No operator or crew member of the vessels shall assault, obstruct, resist, deny, refuse boarding to, intimidate or interfere with an observer in the performance of his or her duties.

(v) The members of the Association shall be held responsible for any casualty or personal injury to any observer resulting from the vessel operator or crew member's negligence.

(vi) The members of the Association shall not be held responsible for any casualty or personal injury to observers resulting from the observer's own negligence or force majeure.

(vii) Any expenses, as agreed upon under paragraph (ii) above, incurred by the Government or the FFA or its member country concerned shall be reimbursed by the Association.

12. The Association shall appoint and maintain an agent in Honiara and shall notify the Government of the name and address of such agent. Such an agent shall be authorized to receive and respond to any communication, request and legal process issued by the Government with respect to any member or vessel owned or operated by any member.

13.

(i) This Arrangement shall enter into force on l^st day of January 2007 and shall remain in force for a period of one year unless terminated earlier by either party by giving the other a 3 months notice of its intention to terminate this Agreement.

(ii) The Government and the Association shall undertake to renegotiate the terms and conditions of this agreement nine (9) months prior to the date of its termination, unless terminated earlier by either party;

(iii) At the negotiation, the Government and the Association shall discuss issues concerning:

(a) the implementation or interpretation of the terms of this Arrangement and their amendment; and

(b) any other matters that may be agreed upon, including matters related to cooperation in the field of fisheries that are of mutual interest to both parties.

14. This Arrangement shall be made in two copies in English. The Government and the Association shall each hold one signed copy of the Arrangement as evidence thereof.

Dated this 20^th day of September 2006

APPENDIX

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ARRANGEMENT

1. AMOUNT OF FEES OR (TYPES OF FEES OR FEE REGIMES)

(1) Permit Fee

The Permit fee shall be US$1,000.00 and shall entitle a vessel to fish within the Solomon Islands EEZ for a calendar year from the date of the permit issuance (hereinafter referred to as "the permit period").

(2) ACCESS FEE

The access fee shall be US$15,000 per vessel per year (i.e. twelve months calendar year) payment payable in accordance with access fee US$8,600 and an entry fee US$6,400. This period of twelve months is the permit activation period and this fee includes the permit activation fee set out in Solomon Islands Fisheries Regulations. All payments, including that under article 1, shall be payable into the Solomon Islands Revenue Account No. 0260-002 with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

2. OBSERVER FEE.

An Observer fee of US$1,500 will be paid to the Government per year by the Association for each vessel that is licensed to fish in Solomon Islands fishery limit. This fee shall be send by telegraphic transfer to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands and the beneficiary will be the National Observer programme of the Government of Solomon Islands.

3. EXCEPTED WATERS

(1) Taiwanese purse seine vessels licensed under the arrangement are permitted to fish in all waters of Solomon Islands EEZ except for the archipelagic waters and thirty (30) nm around the Main Group Archipelago (MGA) and the archipelagic and territorial waters of the other archipelagos. Co-ordinates of waters A of the MGA and the rest of the Archipelagos (i.e. waters B, Waters C, Waters D and Waters E) are provided as attachment 1.

(2) In order to protect existing domestic fisheries and to avoid conflict with locally based fishing operations, the Government reserves the right to exclude additional areas in the Solomon Islands EEZ from certain types of fishing operations. The Government shall inform the Association accordingly of any additional excepted waters.

4. PERMIT PROCEDURE

(1) Fishing Vessel Register

A member of the Association who intends to operate his vessel within the Solomon Islands EEZ shall duly register his vessel(s) on the Regional Register of Foreign Fishing Vessels and the VMS Register at the Forum Fisheries Agency.

(2) Permit Validity

A permit is required in respect of each vessel to fish in the Solomon Islands EEZ and is valid for each one permit period.

(3) Permit Application

(i) Application for a permit for a vessel shall be made through the Association on behalf of the operator seeking a permit to the Director of Fisheries in the form as per Attachment 2.

(ii) At the same time of sending the Permit Application Form, the Association shall send by facsimile or e-mail to the Director of Fisheries the information in the form as per Attachment 3A, should a permit number be required immediately for the purposes of (4) (iii) below.

(4) Permit issuance

(i) The Government shall, within 4 working days after receipt of the fax or email application, inform the Association by fax or e-mail the information in the form as per Attachment 3B.

If neither the permit number nor rejection of the permit application has been received within the aforementioned period of time, the vessel is deemed to have a permit, provided that there is evidence of permit application number and remittance of the permit fee. If the permit application is sent by fax or email, the Association may confirm with the Government the dispatch of the application by telephone. This does not apply to a vessel which has not been previously issued with a permit.

(ii) If an application is rejected then the permit fee shall be refunded to the applicant, with explanation for such rejection.

(iii) The permit shall be sent to the applicant through the Association in the form as per Attachment 4. The applicant shall ensure that the permit is delivered to the captain of the permitted vessel who shall produce it on demand by an authorized officer. Where a vessel has put to sea prior to the receipt of the permit, the permit application number or the permit number and the remittance of the permit fee shall be sufficient evidence of the issuance of a permit.

(iv) No refunds of the permit shall be made other than under 3 (4) (ii) above.

5. VALIDITY OF PERMIT AFTER LOSS OR TRANSFER OF A VESSEL OR TRANSFER OF PERMIT OR PERMIT ACTIVATION THROUGH INHERITANCE OR CORPORATE MERGER

Where a permitted vessel is lost or transferred to another person by sale or otherwise during the period of validity of the permit and another vessel is acquired in substitution for the said permitted vessel, a new permit may be issued for the remaining portion of the period of validity of the original permit. In such event the original permit shall be cancelled and returned to the Government.

(2) The transfer of a permit is prohibited except by inheritance or corporate merger. In the event that a permit is transferred by inheritance or corporate merger, a new permit may be issued for the remaining portion of the period of validity of the original permit and the original permit shall be cancelled and returned to the Government.

6. REPORTING AND RECORDING PROCEDURES

(1) Facsimile or E-mail Reports

The operator of a fishing vessel shall provide to the Government information relating to the position of, and catch on board the vessel in the following manner:-

(i) Entry Report

An entry report shall be made within 24 hours prior to the estimated time of entry into the Solomon Islands EEZ in the form as per Attachment 5A.

(ii) Weekly Position and Catch Report

A weekly position and catch report shall be made each Wednesday, while within the Solomon Islands EEZ, in the form as per Attachment 5B.

(iii) Departure Report

A departure report shall be made within 48 hours after departure from the Solomon Islands EEZ, together with the last weekly position and catch report, in the form as per Attachment 5C.

(iv) The operator shall forward by telex or fax to the Government a trip completion report within 7 days after completion of a fishing trip in the for as per Attachment 5D.

(2) Catch Report Form

(i) The captain of a permitted vessel shall keep on board a daily record of the catch within the Solomon Islands EEZ on the forms per Attachments 6, (hereinafter called the "Catch Report Form")

(ii) On entering the Solomon Islands EEZ, the captain shall maintain a record of the catch on the catch report form of all the information that the form requires while within the Solomon Islands EEZ on a daily basis until his final departure from the Solomon islands EEZ.

(iii) The catch report form shall be kept current at all times and shall be produced on demand to any authorized officers or fisheries observer of the Government.

(iii) The operator shall sign and forward, through the Association, the original catch report form to the Director of Fisheries within 45 days of completion of each fishing trip. The Government shall suspend, cancel or withdraw a permit of a member vessel which fails to dispatch its completed original catch report form within the specified period under this paragraph, until the catch report form is received by the Government.

7. IDENTIFICATION OF VESSELS AND ENFORCEMENT

(1) For fisheries and marine safety purposes, every vessel shall be marked and identified in accordance with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) approved standard specification for the marking and identification of fishing Vessels as per Attachment 7.

(2) The name of the vessel will be printed clearly in English on the bow and the stern of the vessel.

(3) Any vessel not displaying its name and radio call sign or signal letters in the prescribed manner may be escorted to a Solomon Islands port for further investigation.

(4) A vessel operator shall ensure the continuous monitoring of the international distress and calling frequency 2182 kHz (HF), and, or the international safety and calling frequency 156.8 mHZ (Channel 16, VHF-FM) to facilitate communication with the fisheries management, surveillance and enforcement authorities of the Government.

(5) A vessel operator shall ensure that a recent and up to date copy of the International code of Signals (INTERCO) is on board and accessible at all times.

8. COMMUNICATION WITH PATROL VESSELS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

Communication between the permitted vessels and the patrol vessels of the Government shall be made by international signal codes as follows:-

9. VESSEL RESTRICTION

The Government shall put a limit on the number of permitted Taiwanese purse seine vessels which engage in fishing within the Solomon Islands EEZ in accordance with the Government's tuna management and development plan.

10. TRANSSHIPMENT AND PORT ENTRY

Vessels operating under this Arrangement shall:-

(i) not carry out transshipment, load and unload fuel and supply at sea while operating in the Solomon Islands EEZ;

(ii) provide 72 hours notice to the Government of its intention to enter port or transship its catch in the prescribed format in Attachement SA.

(iii) only enter port or transship at the time and port authorized by the Government as prescribed in the format as per Attachment 8B. The designated ports of call or transshipment in Solomon Islands are Honiara, Tulagi, Noro, and as advised by the Government from time to time.

(iv) While in port, comply with all the relevant laws and regulations of Solomon Islands and the instructions given by duly authorized officers of the Government at all times.

11. VESSELS IN TRANSIT

Licensed and unlicensed fishing vessels of the Association transiting through Excepted Waters (referred to in paragraph 2 and Attachment 1) shall have all their fishing equipment on board stowed or secured in such a manner that it is not readily available to use for fishing.

12. VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM

The Association's fishing vessels shall place on board an automatic location communicator of a type approved by the Government and to ensure that the VMS must be automatically reporting to the FFA VMS at all times. The operator shall be responsible for the costs of the approved equipment and the transmission costs originating from the vessels.

ATTACHMENT 1

EXCEPTED WATERS

Excepted waters are the archipelagic waters of the MGA and those waters 30 nm around the MGA and the archipelagic and territorial or twelve nautical miles seaward from the lines connecting the points for the rest of the Archipelagos (i.e. Waters B, Waters C, Waters D and Waters E).

MAIN GROUP CO-ORDINATES - Water A

ATTACHMENT 2

FORM 6
No.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

THE REGULATION FISHERIES 1998
FOREIGN FISHING "VESSEL APPLICATION FORM

PERMIT NUMBER...............

Name of applicant...............................................................................................................

Address...............................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................

Name and address of owner of vessel if different from above

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

Name of vessel..........................................................................................................

Type of vessel..........................................................................................

Port and country of registry.......................................................................................

Registration number.................................................................................................

Fishing vessel identification mark.............................................................................

Length.............................. Registered Net Tonnage.........................................

Engine horse power..................................................................................................

Radio call sign.......................................Frequency...................................................

PART I - Authorization to fish

Description of fishing operations the vessel will engage in

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

Areas to be fished.....................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

Species of fish to be taken.........................................................................

............................................................................................................

Landing place where catch will be discharged

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................

ATTACHMENT 3

TELEX OR FAX FORMS FOR PERMIT APPLICATION
AND PERMIT ISSUANCE

3 (a) FOR PERMIT APPLICATION TELEX/FAX

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Application Number
(2) Previous Permit Number (if any)
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(4) Gross Tonnage
(5) Fishing Method
(6) Total amount of Fee Remitted
(7) Date of Fee Remittance

EXAMPLE OF FAX or E-mail

TO: DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

DATE: 1 SEPTEMBER 1998

RE: PERMIT APPLICATION
001T/N.H.202L/BVNI/250.OO/LL/US$500/010998

3 (b) FOR PERMIT ISSUANCE

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Permit Number
(2) Vessel Name
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters

EXAMPLE OF FAX or E-mail

TO: TDSTBEA
FROM: DOF, HONIARA

DATE: 1 SEPTEMBER 1998

RE: PERMIT ISSUANCE

T202PS/CCHIN CHING NO. 1/BVNI

REGARDS

ATTACHMENT 4

SOLOMON ISLANDS
PERMIT FOR FOREIGN FISHING VESSEL
(Fisheries Act and Fisheries (Foreign Fishing Vessels Regulation 1981)

Permit No............................

THE VESSEL NAMED BELOW IS AUTHORISED TO ENTER THE FISHERY LIMITS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS DURING THE PERMIT ACTIVATION PERIOD FOR THE PURPOSES INDICATED IN PART II.

Issued to.....................................................................................................................

Address......................................................................................................................

Name and address of owner of vessel ..............................................................................................................

Name of vessel....................................................Type of vessel.......................................

Port and country of Registry Registration No.:..................... Identification
Mark...........................

Identification mark......................................................................................................

Length...........................Gross Tonnage:......................Engine
Horsepower............................

Radio call sign.......................................Frequency....................................................

Permit Period from....................................to .............................................

PART II

Permitted fishing operation:-..............................................................................

Areas which may be fished:.................................................................................

Species of fish to be taken:..................................................................................

Further conditions:............................................................................................

Dated at .........................this.....................
Day...................................19.........

-------------------------
Licensing Officer

Notes:

1. The holder of this permit is subject to the Fisheries Act 1972 and to the regulation made under the Act, in particular to the Fisheries (Foreign Vessels) Regulation 1981.

2. Under Section 7(6) of the Fisheries Act breach of the conditions of this permit may make the owner, master and charterer of the vessel liable to a fine of $25,000.00.

ATTACHMENT 5

FAX OR E-MAIL FORMS FOR REPORTING VESSELS OPERATIONS WITHIN THE FISHERY LIMITS

All items which refer to catch in metric tons (MT) should be entered to the nearest tenth of a metric tonne.

5 (a) FOR ENTRY REPORT

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Code (ENTRY = ENT)
(2) Vessel Permit Number
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(4) Date of entry (DDMMYY)
(5) Position of Entry (Latitude South - Longitude East)
(6) Yellowfin Total on Board (MT)
(7) Albacore Total on Board (MT)
(8) Bigeye Total on Board (MT)
(9) Billfish Total on Board (MT)
(10) Other Fish Total on Board (MT)

EXAMPLE OF ENTRY FAX OR E-MAIL

TO: DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

2 SEPT 98

ENT/T202PS/BVNI/020998/0615S15700E/YO.1/A9.3/BEO.O/BO.1/OT0.9/

5 (b) FOR WEEKLY POSITION AND CATCH REPORT

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Code (Weekly Position, Catch Report = WPCR)
(2) Vessel Permit Number
(3) Radio Call sign or Signal Letters
(4) Date (DDMMYY)
(5) Noon Position (Latitude South - Longitude East)
(6) Yellowfin Catch (MT)
(7) Albacore Catch (MT)
(8) Bigeye Catch (MT)
(9) Billfish Catch (MT)
(10) Other Fish Catch (MT)
(11) Number of Fishing Days (since last WPCR)

EXAMPLE OF WEEKLY POSITION AND CATCH REPORT FAX OR E-MAIL

TO: DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

5 SEPT98

WPCR/T202PS/BVNI/050998/07105SI5850E/Y1.1/A12.0/BE21.3/B0.4/OT5.7/FD3

Regards

5 (c) FOR DEPARTURE REPORT

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Code (Departure = DEP)
(2) Vessel Permit Number
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(4) Date of Departure (DDMMYY)
(5) Position of Departure (Latitude South - Longitude East)
(6) Yellowfin Total on Board (MT)
(7) Albacore Total on Board (MT)
(8) Bigeye Total on Board (MT)
(9) Billfish Total on Board (MT)
(10) Other Fish Total on Board (MT)
(11) Code (Last Weekly Position Catch Report= LWPCR)
(12) Yellowfin Catch (MT)
(13) Albacore Catch (MT)
(14) Bigeye Catch (MT)
(15) Billfish Catch (MT)
(16) Other Fish Catch (MT)
(17) Number of fishing Days

EXAMPLE OF DEPARTURE AND LAST WEEKLY POSITION AND CATCH REPORT
FAX or E-mail

TO: DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

12 SEPT98

DEP/T202PS/BVNI/120998/1012SI560OE/Yl.1/A17.9/BEO.8/BO.6/OT0.7/LWOCR/Y.1.0/
BEO.5/BO.2/OTO.O/FD4

Regards

5 (d) FOR TRIP COMPLETION AND STATEMENT OF NO OPERATION REPORT

ITEMS REQUIRED

(1) Code (COMPLETION = COMP)
(2) Vessel Permit Activation Number
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(4) Date of Completion of Fishing Trip
(5) Place of Completion of Fishing Trip
(6) Indication of Entry or Non-entry the Fishery Limits (EIN)

EXAMPLE OF TRIP COMPLETION AND STATEMENT OF NO OPERATION REPORT FAX or E-mail

TO: DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

15 SEPT98
COMP/T202PS/BVNI/1510998/LEVUKA/E

Regards

ANNEX 3

SUMMARY OF THE FAO
STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE
MARKING AND IDENTIFICATION OF FISHING VESSELS

Introduction

The specifications below were endorsed by the Eighteenth Session of the FAD Committee on Fisheries, Rome April 19879, for adoption by States as a standard system to identify fishing vessels operating, or likely to operate in waters of States other than those of the flag State.

1. Basic system

1.1 Vessels shall be marked with their International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Radio Call Signs (IRCS)

1.2 Vessels not provided with an IRCS shall be marked with the characters allocated by the ITU to the flag State and followed by the license or registration number assigned by the flag State. In such cases a hyphen shall separate the ITU characters and the assigned number.

1.3 Apart from the vessel's name or identification and port of registry the marking system specified shall be only other vessel identification mark consisting of letters and numbers painted on the hull or superstructure.

2. Application

2.1 The markings shall be prominently displayed at all times:

i) on the vessel's side or superstructure, port and starboard;

ii) on a deck; should an awning or other temporary cover obscure the mark, the awning or cover shall also be marked. Deck marks shall be placed athwartships with the top of the numbers or letters towards the bow.

2.2 Marks shall be placed as high as possible above the water line. The flare of the bow and the stern shall be avoided.

2.3 The marks shall;

i) be placed so they are not obscured by the fishing gear whether stowed or in use;

ii) be clear of the flow from scuppers and overboard discharges including areas which might be damaged or discoloured from the catch of certain species;

iii) not extend below the waterline.

2.4 Boats, skiffs and craft carried by the vessel for fishing operations shall bear the same mark as the vessel concerned.

3. Technical Specifications

3.1 Block lettering and numbering shall be used throughout.

3.2 The height (h) of the letters and numbers shall be in proportion to the size of the vessel in accordance with the following;

i) for marks placed on the hull or superstructure;

(ii) for the marks placed on deck the height shall be not less than 0.3m for all classes of vessels of 5m and over.

3.3 The length of the hyphen shall be half the height of the letters and numbers.

3.4 The width of the stroke for all letters, numbers and the hyphen shall be h/6

3.6 The space between adjacent letters having sloping sides shall not exceed h/8 no be less then h/10, for example AV.

3.7 The marks shall be:

(i) white on a black background; or

(ii) black on a white background

3.8 The background shall extend to provide a boarder around the mark of not less than h/6.

3.9 The marks and background shall be maintained in good condition at all times.

ATTACHMENT 8

FAX OR E-MAIL FORMS FOR PORT ENTRY APPLICATION AND PORT ENTRY AUTHORISATION

8(A) FOR PORT ENTRY APPLICATION

Items Required

(1) Vessel Name
(2) Fishing Method
(3) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(4) Gross Tonnage
(5) Permit Number or Permit Application Number, if any
(6) Permit Activation Number or Permit Activation Application Number, if any
(7) Position of Vessel on Application
(8) Port of Entry
(9) Purpose of Entry (Loading of fuel or other supplies, Unloading or transshipment of Catch with intended amount by Species, Emergency or Others
(10) Estimated Date and Local Time of Arrival (DDMMYY, HHMM)
(11) Name and Radio Call Sign of Fish Carrier, when transshipping

Example of FAX or E-mail for Port Entry application

TO. DOF, HONIARA
FROM: TDSTBEA

2 SEPT 98

RE: PORT ENTRY APPLICATION

WinFar 606/PS/TWHUB/199/K16-200/1012S15600E/HONIARA/TRANSSHIPMENT: Y5 BE2 A1 OT3/180197/1200/ WinFar 606

8(B) FOR PORT ENTRY AUTHORISATION

Items Required

(1) Vessel Name
(2) Radio Call Sign or Signal Letters
(3) Designated Port or Entry
(4) Purpose of Entry

Example of FAX or E-mail for Port Entry Authorization

TO: : TDSTBEA
FROM: DOF, HONIARA

16JAN97

RE: PORT ENTRY AUTHORISATION

Authorization is granted for port entry of the following vessel;

WinFar 606/TWUB/HONIARA/TRANSSHIPMENT