August 25, 2015
No. 174
The Republic of China (Taiwan) officially became a member of the newly established North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC) on August 25, 2015.
Taiwan is the largest harvester of Pacific saury, which is one of the main fish species managed by the NPFC. By becoming a member of the NPFC, Taiwan will be able to safeguard its fishing rights in the high seas of the North Pacific, consolidate the development of its deep-sea fishing industry, and protect the interests of its fishermen.
Indeed, Taiwan’s entry in the NPFC marks an important milestone, and once again highlights the international community’s recognition of the strength of Taiwan’s fishing industry. Taiwan will closely cooperate with other NPFC member states to ensure the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the high seas of the North Pacific. By making concrete contributions to the NPFC, Taiwan intends to demonstrate that its participation in regional fisheries management organizations is in the overall interests of the international community.
The establishment of the NPFC was proposed in 2006 by Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States. In 2009, the ROC was invited to take part in related negotiations, which were subsequently attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Council of Agriculture. In March 2011, the countries concerned jointly agreed on the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, which served as the basis for the creation of the NPFC.
Other members of the NPFC besides the ROC—which participates as a fishing entity under the name Chinese Taipei—are Canada, Japan, Korea, Russia, and mainland China. The NPFC Secretariat is located in Tokyo, Japan. (E)