21st Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee: Full Annotated Agenda

The meeting will commence at 8:30am on Wednesday 24 September 2025.

TCC Chair, Mr Mat Kertesz (Australia) will open the Twenty-First Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC21) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and welcome delegations of the WCPFC Members, Cooperating Non-Members and Participating Territories (CCMs) and Observers.

The Chair will present the Provisional Agenda for consideration and adoption. The Rules of Procedure provide that Members may propose supplementary agenda items until 30 days before the meeting (Rule 3).  The agenda, as modified, will need to be adopted by the meeting (Rule 5).

TCC21 will review the Indicative Schedule and consider logistical arrangements to support the meeting, including proposed meeting times, small working groups and any social events.

In accordance with CMM 2019-07, TCC21 will review the current WCPFC IUU list and the draft IUU list, and any suitably documented information.

2025 marks the fifteenth year of implementation of the CMS.  CMM 2023-04 Conservation and Management Measure for the Compliance Monitoring Scheme will apply from 2024 – 2026.

TCC21 will review:

• the assessment of the 2025 Compliance Monitoring Report (CMR) covering reporting year (RY) 2024 using audit points adopted by the Commission,
• the aggregate tables summarizing information in the WCPFC online compliance case file system (CCFS), and
• reports from relevant CCMs on their progress to resolve certain individual implementation gaps from the previous year.

TCC21 will develop a Provisional CMR for the previous reporting period (RY2024), considering any Capacity Development Plans developed pursuant to CMM 2023-04 paragraphs 16-18, and other information described in paragraph 28(ii), any additional information provided by CCMs, and, where appropriate, any additional information provided by non-government organizations or other organizations concerned with matters relevant to the implementation of the Convention. The provisional CMR will contain the following:

1. an executive summary,
2. a compliance status with respect to all applicable individual obligations as well as recommendations for any corrective action(s) needed by the CCM or action(s) to be taken by the Commission, based on potential compliance issues identified in respect of that CCM or collective group of CCMs, and using the criteria and considerations for assessing Compliance Status set out in Annex 1 of CMM 2023-04 ,   
3. tables including aggregated data (templates attached in Annex III to CMM 2023-04 ) relating to the information provided in paragraph 11 of CMM 2023-04 , including recommendations or observations from TCC in accordance with CMM 2023-04 , and
4. tables including reports by relevant CCMs on their progress to resolve certain individual obligation implementation gaps from the previous year/s, and TCC21 recommendations whether the previous year compliance status continues or if reporting now satisfies the audit point requirements. 

At WCPFC21, the Commission agreed that flag CCMs should provide information justifying the closing out of a case in the Compliance Case File System, which would be verified by the Secretariat and tasks the Secretariat to report to TCC21 on closed out cases (WCPFC21 Summary Report, paragraph 279)  Noting that TCC has previously expressed a preference to address the issue of cases older than 24 months in the CCFS in a systematic way, TCC21 will consider the information provided by CCMs and provide advice and recommendations to WCPFC21.

The scheme in paragraph 15 of CMM 2023-04 is intended to address the imbalance in observer coverage between the longline and purse seine fisheries in the compliance case file system (CCFS).  In support of the approach, the Secretariat is tasked in subparagraph (b) to develop and utilize, in consultation with the Scientific Services Provider (SSP), a scheme for randomly sampling observer-related cases from the online compliance case file system for the purse seine fishery on a trip basis designed to achieve the level of coverage in the CMR for ROP purse seine trips determined for the longline fishery by the SSP for the most recent year for which this data is available.

TCC20 tasked the TCC Chair and Secretariat to prepare a paper to further develop the sampling methodology for consideration by TCC21 taking into account, the relevant parameters for implementation of a process in 2025. (ref: TCC20 Outcomes, paragraph 13) TCC21 is invited to discuss and as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations in support of the future use of this scheme in the CMS.

TCC is tasked, as a standing agenda item relating to the Special Requirements of Developing States, to review and assess the Commission’s implementation of, and compliance with, CMM 2013-06 Conservation and Management Measure on the criteria for the consideration of conservation and management proposals for the previous calendar year (WCPFC20 Summary Report, paragraph 754 (a)).

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will discuss the approach to review of the Commission implementation of CMM 2013-06.  Papers by TCC participants would be welcomed.

WCPFC21 tasks TCC, commencing in 2025, to use TCC20-2024-DP07 as a reference to continue the work required to strengthen the transshipment measure.

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 also notes that TCC20-DP-07 had been proposed by PNA+ to provide a framework that TCC could use for the assessment of compliance with paragraph 37 of CMM 2009-06, relating to the determination of circumstances where it is impracticable for certain vessels to tranship or land fish at feasible and allowable locations other than on the high seas, as compared to total operating costs, net revenues, or some other meaningful measure of costs and/or revenues.

Papers by TCC participants would be welcomed.

TCC is tasked in CMM 2023-04 paragraph 6, to prepare a provisional list of obligations to be assessed in the following year’s CMS, using a risk-based approach as a possible guidance.  In completing this task, TCC21 may also provide advice and recommendations related to 

• additional audit points needed to inform next year’s CMS process;
• the Secretariats update on system enhancements to support tracking of relevant CCMs implementation gaps (TCC20 Outcomes, paragraph 18)

TCC will consider a paper prepared by the Secretariat which provides updates on related tasks.

The Commission has through the various CMS CMM’s committed to a multi-year workplan of tasks to enhance the CMS, with the aim of making it more efficient and effective by streamlining processes, including through the development of guidelines and operating procedures.  Paragraph 48 of CMM 2023-04 identifies a non-exhaustive list, which includes:

(i) explore investment in technology solutions to facilitate improvements to the CCFS.

(ii) the development of corrective actions to encourage and incentivise CCMs’ compliance with the Commission’s obligations, where non-compliance is identified.

(iii) the development of the guidelines for participation of observers in closed meetings of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies which consider the Compliance Monitoring Report.

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 has scheduled work on Observer Participation to commence in 2026, and Corrective Actions is in square-brackets with placement in 2027.  In addition, CMM 2023-04 Conservation and Management Measure for the Compliance Monitoring Scheme will apply from 2024 – 2026.

TCC21 will provide advice and recommendations related to workplan and resourcing requirements to facilitate the future work to enhance the CMS. 

Consideration of the Special Requirements of Developing States pursuant to Part VIII of the Convention is a standing agenda item on the provisional agenda (see Rule 2(h) of the WCPFC Rules of Procedure). 

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 contains a list of possible areas of support to build capacity of SIDS. TCC21 will consider relevant information and make recommendations to the Commission.

TCC21 will review requests for capacity development assistance from developing states and territories, that have been identified through annual reporting and the CMS, for inclusion into the WCPFC Strategic Investment Plan.

The Commission at WCPFC20 tasked SC and TCC to include, as part of the standing agenda item on climate change, a review of available data to inform the Commission on climate change impacts to stocks and ecosystems in the WCPO, and the potential effects of climate change on related fishing activities (WCPFC20 Summary Report paragraph 220).  In addition, the Commission adopted the WCPFC Climate Change Workplan 2024 - 2027 which describes the tasks to be taken by the Commission and its subsidiary bodies to address climate change impacts on WCPFC fisheries in the Convention Area (WCPFC21 Summary Report Attachment 13)

In this regard, the TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will review available data to inform the Commission on climate change impacts to stocks and ecosystems in the WCPO, and the potential effects of climate change on related fishing activities and provide recommendations to the Commission identifying information gaps, necessary analyses and any additional tasks to ensure that Commissions CMMs contribute to long-term sustainability in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention. 

The specific data and information to be reviewed at TCC21 is expected to include:

• Brief updates from the SSP on the status of the WCPO tuna and billfish stocks and climate change impacts, and ecosystems indicators report card.
• Consideration of the outcomes and technical information from the CMM vulnerability assessment and an update report on the progress of the consultancy, and 

TCC21 will also continue to discuss appropriate ways to incorporate climate change into the work of TCC.  TCC21 will provide advice and recommendations as appropriate.

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will review and provide input into the Skipjack Monitoring Strategy on an annual basis.  

TCC21 will also receive brief updates on SC21 outcomes and note the timelines in the Harvest Strategy Workplan related to areas where TCC inputs in harvest strategy development is expected/anticipated.  TCC21 will provide advice and recommendations as appropriate.

TCC21 will provide advice to the Commission related to tuna and billfish CMMs that need revision to improve compliance and monitoring, including those where interpretation issues have been identified from the CMS process (CMM 2023-04 paragraph 40)

The specific quantitative limits to be reviewed at TCC21 include, but are not limited to:

• Review implementation of tropical tuna CMM 2023-01.
• Review implementation of footnotes in Att 1 Table 3 (CMM 2023-01 38).
• The Secretariat shall provide each year to the SSP and TCC the list of fishing vessels that have not applied the FAD closure in the previous year, as well as, their respective numbers of FADs sets during the FADs closure (CMM 2023-01 23 footnote 1)
• Consider the issues of certain CCMs without baseline catch limit under CMM 2023-01 48 (WCPFC21 Summary Report, paragraph 290)
• Review implementation of limits in CMM 2015-02, including update from SP Albacore Roadmap IWG
• Striped Marlin – task to SSP to provide additional information on catches and  for determination of fishing for (North-west CMM 2024-06 05 and SW CMM 2006-04 01),
• Review and provide advice on Annual Reports of Implementation of MCS Measures for Pacific Bluefin reported by CCMs (CMM 2024-02 paragraph 4)
• The Commission agrees to continue to discuss the ongoing applicability of CMM 2012-03 02 (WCPFC21 Summary Report, paragraph 289).

TCC21 will consider an update from the FAD Management Options IWG Chair Mr Jamel James (FSM) on the work of the IWG.

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will review matters referred to TCC by the FAD Management Options IWG, and TCC will consider clarifying the ambiguity around participatory rights, including types of vessels to be allowed to engage in FAD-related activities.

TCC21 may, as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission.

TCC21 will provide advice to the Commission related to relevant CMMs supporting monitoring and verification of fishing activities, that need revision to improve compliance and monitoring, including those where interpretation issues have been identified from the CMS process (CMM 2023-04 paragraph 40)

TCC has previously identified that a priority task is the continued development of training resources and learning aids for the IMS, and the Secretariat has been tasked to explore the development of training videos. Recent upgrades of key IT-related systems and associated guidelines and training resources have focused on supporting CCMs reporting.  The Secretariat will provide an update on activities supported and planned work. TCC will review and make recommendations to the Commission as may be necessary.

The specific issues to be discussed at TCC21 include, but are not limited to:

• Consideration of what information is necessary to include in the AR Pt2 to determine the effectiveness of the alternatives and recommend to the Commission changes to Annex 2 of CMM 2024-05 (TCC Workplan 2025-2027 task for 2025)
• A review and discussion of the 2025 CCM reports submitted in response to CMM 2024-05 paragraph 10 and CMM 2024-05 paragraph 11 (TCC 2025 task in CMM 2024-05 paragraph 13) 

TCC21 may, as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission.

TCC21 will provide advice to the Commission related to CMMs that need revision to improve compliance and monitoring, including those where interpretation issues have been identified from the CMS process (CMM 2023-04 paragraph 40)

In addition, the specific matters to be discussed at TCC21 include, but are not limited to:

CMM 2018-03 Seabirds CMM 

• Consideration of an update from New Zealand who is leading a review of the seabird measure (CMM 2018-03) and supporting material provided by CCMs and the SSP in support of the review of the measure, (WCPFC21 Summary Report, paragraph 552)
• Consideration of any revisions to the seabirds CMM ( TCC Workplan 2025-2027 task),

TCC21 may, as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission.

CMM 2017-04 Marine Pollution CMM

• Consideration of an update from Canada who is leading a review of the marine pollution measure (CMM 2017-04) in 2025 and 2025 (WCPFC21 Summary Report, paragraph 605)

TCC21 may, as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission.

The TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will review information about scientific data provision on an annual basis. 

In addition, the specific matters from SC21 that may also be discussed at TCC21 include, but are not limited to:

• Revised sea turtle data reporting requirements for longline and purse seine vessels, in support of the review of CMM 2018-04 in 2026 (SC20 task to SC21),
• Appropriate requirements for effective reporting on cetacean interactions with tuna and associated species fisheries in the Convention area (WCPFC21 Summary Report 669)

TCC21 may, as appropriate, provide advice and recommendations to the Commission.

At WCPFC19, the Commission approved the TCC18 recommendations to expand the annual VMS Security Audit, to include a more dynamic and continual assessment of the WCPFC information management systems and annual penetration testing of the WCPFC information management systems.  In 2023, TCC19 noted the Secretariat's plans to continue the ongoing, expanded security review work, which includes completing work on the development of an IT Systems Risk Register and conduct of routine penetration testing, and efforts to continue to improve the Secretariat's IT security score.  Updates will be provided by the Secretariat on the status of the WCPFC’s Information and Network Security Framework and provide advice and recommendations related to relevant workplan and resourcing requirements to facilitate the work of the Secretariat.

TCC21 is invited to discuss and provide advice and recommendations to FAC19 and the Commission on the resources required to support TCC21 outcomes, including tasks set out in the TCC Workplan for 2026 and subsequent years, taking into consideration the views of the Secretariat.

TCC21 will recommend candidates for the positions of Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC) Chair and Vice-Chair for election at WCPFC22. At WCPFC21, the terms of the current TCC Chair and TCC Vice Chair were extended by 12 months. In accordance with established practice, the TCC Chair and TCC Vice Chair typically serve two-year terms and are eligible for re-election.

TCC21 is invited to recommend that TCC22 be held on Wednesday 26th September – Tuesday 1st October 2025, and to confirm the venue is in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.