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CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
OF HIGHLY
MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS IN THE WESTERN AND
CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN
(continued)
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PART III
COMMISSION FOR THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HIGHLY
MIGRATORY FISH STOCKS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN (continued)
SECTION 2. SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION AND
ADVICE
Article 12
Functions of the Scientific Committee
1. The Scientific Committee is established to ensure that the Commission
obtains for its consideration the best scientific information available.
2. The functions of the Committee shall be to:
(a) recommend to the Commission a research plan, including specific issues
and items to be addressed by the scientific experts or by other organizations
or individuals, as appropriate, and identify data needs and coordinate
activities that meet those needs;
(b) review the assessments, analyses, other work and recommendations
prepared for the Commission by the scientific experts prior to consideration
of such recommendations by the Commission and provide information, advice and
comments thereon, as necessary;
(c) encourage and promote cooperation in scientific research, taking into
account the provisions of article 246 of the 1982 Convention, in order to
improve information on highly migratory fish stocks, non-target species, and
species belonging to the same ecosystem or associated with or dependent upon
such stocks in the Convention Area;
(d) review the results of research and analyses of target stocks or
non-target or associated or dependent species in the Convention Area;
(e) report to the Commission its findings or conclusions on the status of
target stocks or non-target or associated or dependent species in the
Convention Area;
(f) in consultation with the Technical and Compliance Committee, recommend
to the Commission the priorities and objectives of the regional observer
programme and assess the results of that programme;
(g) make reports and recommendations to the Commission as directed, or on
its own initiative, on matters concerning the conservation and management of
and research on target stocks or non-target or associated or dependent species
in the Convention Area; and
(h) perform such other functions and tasks as may be requested by or
assigned to it by the Commission.
3. The Committee shall exercise its functions in accordance with such
guidelines and directives as the Commission may adopt.
4. The representatives of the Oceanic Fisheries Programme of the Pacific
Community and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, or their successor
organizations, shall be invited to participate in the work of the Committee. The
Committee may also invite other organizations or individuals with scientific
expertise in matters related to the work of the Commission to participate in its
meetings.
Article 13
Scientific services
1. The Commission, taking into account any recommendation of the Scientific
Committee, may engage the services of scientific experts to provide information
and advice on the fishery resources covered by this Convention and related
matters that may be relevant to the conservation and management of those
resources. The Commission may enter into administrative and financial
arrangements to utilize scientific services for this purpose. In this regard,
and in order to carry out its functions in a cost-effective manner, the
Commission shall, to the greatest extent possible, utilize the services of
existing regional organizations and shall consult, as appropriate, with any
other fisheries management, technical or scientific organization with expertise
in matters related to the work of the Commission.
2. The scientific experts may, as directed by the Commission:
(a) conduct scientific research and analyses in support of the work of the
Commission;
(b) develop and recommend to the Commission and the Scientific Committee
stock-specific reference points for the species of principal interest to the
Commission;
(c) assess the status of stocks against the reference points established by
the Commission;
(d) provide the Commission and the Scientific Committee with reports on the
results of their scientific work, advice and recommendations in support of the
formulation of conservation and management measures and other relevant
matters; and
(e) perform such other functions and tasks as may be required.
3. In carrying out their work, the scientific experts may:
(a) undertake the collection, compilation and dissemination of fisheries
data according to agreed principles and procedures established by the
Commission, including procedures and policies relating to the confidentiality,
disclosure and publication of data;
(b) conduct assessments of highly migratory fish stocks, non-target
species, and species belonging to the same ecosystem or associated with or
dependent upon such stocks, within the Convention Area;
(c) assess the impacts of fishing, other human activities and environmental
factors on target stocks and species belonging to the same ecosystem or
dependent upon or associated with the target stocks;
(d) assess the potential effects of proposed changes in the methods or
levels of fishing and of proposed conservation and management measures; and
(e) investigate such other scientific matters as may be referred to them by
the Commission.
4. The Commission may make appropriate arrangements for periodic peer review
of scientific information and advice provided to the Commission by the
scientific experts.
5. The reports and recommendations of the scientific experts shall be
provided to the Scientific Committee and to the Commission.
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