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title: "The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is meeting this week and improved seabird mitigation for small vessels is on the agenda"
---

# The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission is meeting this week and improved seabird mitigation for small vessels is on the agenda

The [Eleventh Session](https://www.wcpfc.int/meetings/11th-regular-session-commission)of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ([WCPFC](https://www.wcpfc.int/)) is being held this week in the Faleata Sports Complex, Apia, Samoa.  [Click here](https://www.wcpfc.int/node/19855) for the meeting’s agenda.

 A change proposed by the USA ([WCPFC11-2014-DP01](https://www.wcpfc.int/node/19946)) to the current Conservation and Management Measure for Mitigating Impacts of Fishing on Seabirds ([CMM 2012-07](https://www.wcpfc.int/doc/cmm-2012-07/conservation-and-management-measure-mitigating-impacts-fishing-seabirds)) aims to remove the current exemption for vessels less than 24 m in length in the North Pacific from the requirement to use seabird bycatch mitigation measures in areas north of 23° North latitude from 1 January 2017.

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Mitigation/Streamer line Ed Melvin s.jpg)

 A small North Pacific longliner trails a bird-scaring line, photograph by Ed Melvin

 **Reference:**

 Unites States of America 2014.  *Revisions to CMM 2012-07 Conservation and Management Measure to Mitigate the Impact of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds*.  [WCPFC11-2014-DP01](https://www.wcpfc.int/node/19946). 7 pp.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 02 December 2104*