The North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) adopted Conservation and Management Measure CMM 2025-07 to establish interim effort and catch controls for the chub mackerel fishery in the Convention Area, in response to increased fishing pressure, recent catch declines, and scientific advice warning that current fishing mortality risks further reduction in spawning stock biomass. The measure sets a total allowable catch (TAC) of 66,740 tonnes for 2025, limits vessel numbers for Members and Cooperating non-Contracting Parties with substantial harvests, and establishes compatibility with measures in adjacent national waters. It imposes detailed monitoring and reporting obligations, including catch recording, monthly and weekly reporting thresholds, vessel monitoring systems, and public publication of aggregated and Member-specific catches, with automatic fishery closures when limits are approached. Specific provisions apply to China and the EU, including trawler limits and additional EU allocations. The CMM also includes rules on effort limits, data sharing to combat IUU fishing, and review of measures after stock assessment, while preserving the right of Members without substantial historical harvests to future fishery development.
2025-06-01