CMM 2012-04 (01, 04)

1. This measure shall apply to the high seas and exclusive economic zones of the Convention Area.  CCMs shall prohibit their flagged vessels from setting a purse seine on a school of tuna associated with a whale shark if the animal is sighted prior to the commencement of the set. 4. CCMs shall require that, in the event that a whale shark is not deliberately encircled in the purse seine net, the master of the vessel shall(a) ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure its safe release.; and (b) report the incident to the relevant authority of the flag State, including the number of individuals, details of how and why the encirclement happened, where it occurred, steps taken to ensure safe release, and an assessment of the life status of the whale shark on release (including whether the animal was released alive but subsequently died). 4. In taking steps to ensure the safe release of the whale shark as required under paragraph 4(a), CCMs shall require the master of the vessel to follow any guidelines adopted by the Commission for the purpose of this measure. Guidelines for safe release were adopted at WCPFC12 (2016) - see attached