Four countries; Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America, participated in international consultations on the establishment of new mechanisms for the management of high seas bottom fisheries by vessels operating in the North Western Pacific Ocean, held August, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan, January 2007 in Busan, Republic of Korea, October 2007 in Honolulu, USA, and May 2008 in Vladivostok, Russia. The focus of the meetings was the Emperor Seamount Chain, which extends from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to the tip of the Aleutian Island Chain, in particular, the seamounts located south of 45 degrees North Latitude. Approximately ten to fifteen vessels from Japan, Korea and Russia have fished in the area in recent years. United States vessels have not fished these areas. 

The Busan meeting resulted in interim measures: “Establishment of new mechanisms for protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems and sustainable management of high seas bottom fisheries in the North Western Pacific Ocean” (Jan 2007, pdf 84kB).  The interim measures set out the objectives as the sustainable management of fish stocks and the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems.  Among other provisions contained in the interim measures, the countries decided to limit fishing effort to the existing level and not to expand bottom fisheries into new areas, while working on a long-term agreement to achieve the identified objectives.

The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.

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