The WCPFC crew labour standards (CMM 2024-04)

PIoWR Learning Hub · about 5 minutes, including the quiz · For: Fishers

In this lesson you will learn:

What WCPFC is and what a CMM is
What CMM 2024-04 requires
When and where it applies

WCPFC and its measures

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) manages tuna and other highly migratory fish across a huge area of the Pacific Ocean. Its members adopt binding rules called conservation and management measures (CMMs).

In 2024, at its 21st regular session (WCPFC21) in Suva, Fiji, the Commission adopted CMM 2024-04, the Conservation and Management Measure for Crew Labour Standards. It is the Commission's first binding measure on crew conditions. It takes effect on 1 January 2028.

Which vessels

It applies to vessels authorised to fish in the WCPFC Convention Area that fish (a) only on the high seas, (b) on the high seas and in coastal countries' waters, or (c) in the waters of two or more coastal countries. It does not apply in territorial seas or archipelagic waters. Members can also use licence conditions for vessels fishing only in their own waters.

What owners and operators must do

Members must make sure vessel owners and operators:

provide a safe working environment;
ensure no forced or compulsory labour or mistreatment;
give a written contract in a form and language the crew member can understand, agreed before the trip and signed by both sides;
provide decent living conditions — clean water, food, medical care, rest and sleeping quarters;
pay decent and regular wages (for example monthly or quarterly) that crew can access, with appropriate insurance;
allow regular chances to go ashore, free access to identity documents, the ability to end the contract and seek repatriation, and unmonitored access to communication devices;
cover repatriation costs if the owner ends the contract early (except a serious breach by the crew member);
keep next-of-kin details and give safety training to all crew.

When something goes wrong

The measure sets out what must happen if a crew member dies, is seriously ill or injured, is missing or overboard (search for at least 72 hours), or reports forced labour or mistreatment — including safe disembarkation and investigation by the flag member, and notification by the port member.

The Commission can amend its measures at any session. That is why PIoWR watches each WCPFC meeting before 2028.

Key points

CMM 2024-04 is WCPFC's binding measure on crew labour standards.
It takes effect on 1 January 2028.
It requires written contracts, safe work, decent living conditions, regular pay, access to documents and communication, and no forced labour.