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Solomon Islands

Table A: -Limits of territorial seas, fishing zones and exclusive economic zones-

STATE TERRITORIAL SEA FISHING ZONE ECONOMIC ZONE
*Solomon Islands 12 mi (1978) - 200 mi (1978)


Table B: -Licence fees, bilateral agreement or joint venture requirements and nationality criteria-

STATE Licence fees, royalties and others local currency Requirements concerning bilateral framework agreements or joint venture participation Nationality criteria for fishing vessels
SOLOMON
ISLANDS		 LEGISLATION
Foreign fishing permits subject to payment of such fees and royalties as may be determined by the Principal Licensing Officer with the approval of the Minister.
(Fisheries Act 1972, sect. 7(3)(b))
-In practice, fees set in agreements.
-Export duty on frozen tuna fish payable at following rates:
-first 10 000 tons = 10%
-10 000 - 15 000 tons = 8%
-15 000 - 20 000 tons = 7%
-20 000 - 25 000 tons = 6%
-over 25 000 tons = 5%
(applicable to local joint venture operation only)
(Customs and Excise (Duties) Amendment (No. 4) Order 1981, sect. 2(10.1))
AGREEMENTS
Agreement with Japanese Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Association under Japanese Head Agreement of 1978 (valid through December 1984, extended thereafter until 6 months after notice given of intent to terminate)
Tuna longlining and pole and line fishing operations:
-Permit fee (valid one year) = Y. 27 000 per vessel;
-Permit activation fee (valid for one trip) = to be calculated on basis of value of fish to be caught during permit activation period, according to the following formula: initial price per metric ton x catch per trip x monthly "all tuna. or "skipjack" price divided by initial "all tuna. or "skipjack" price.
Longline vessels:
-Initial price - January 1984 = Y. 21,500
-Initial "all tuna. price = Y. 590/kg
Pole and line vessels:
-Initial price - January 1984 = Y. 6500.
Treaty on Fisheries between Governments of certain Pacific Island States and U.S.A., renewed on 15 June 1993 for 10 year extension, to be reviewed after 5 years.
Note: See entry under Australia for global amout of fees and share formula between the Pacific
Islands parties.		   LEGISLATION
-Local fishing vessel defined as any fishing vessel (a) owned by one or more persons domiciled and resident in the Solomon Islands; (b) owned by any company or fishermen's cooperative society incorporated under the laws of the Solomon Islands, and having its principal place of business in the Solomon Islands. Does not include any vessel registered in any country outside the Solomon Islands.
(Fisheries Act 1972, sect. 2)


Table C: -Coastal State requirements for foreign fishing-

STATE Foreign fishing vessel licence conditions
(other than reporting requirements) including observers, bonds, etc.		 Logbook, and reporting requirements foreign fishing
SOLOMON
ISLANDS		 LEGISLATION
-Fishing in certain areas and use of gear may be restricted.
-Vessels to bear specified identification marks.
-Restrictions on transhipment of fish.
(Fisheries Regulations. 1972-1977)
-Permit will not be issued unless vessel is in good standing on regional register, permit valid only while vessel remains in good standing on register.
-Master of authorized foreign fishing vessel must:
- comply with Fisheries Act and Regulations;
- comply with lawful instructions of authorized officers;
- permit authorized officer to inspect vessel, catch, gear as well as navigational and catch records;
- carry the permit on board and produce it on demand, or where not received, produce number of current permit;
- take observer on board as required, permit observer to board and leave vessel at times and places required and provide maintenance, food, and accommodation equivalent to officer's;
- allow observer access to catch on board, daily catch records, charts, communication channels, etc.;
- avoid fishing in internal waters, territorial sea or any prohibited area specified on permit, except when vessel chartered by Solomon Islands companies;
- paint identifying marks on vessel as shown on permit.
For foreign fishing vessels chartered by Solomon Islands companies:
-Vessel may not (except for baitfishing) fish within 500 meters of low water mark or within one nautical mile of any village or local fishing area specified by the principal Licensing Officer and shown on approved local fishing maps or in any manner not authorized by the permit.
-If vessel is permitted to fish by pole and line:
- it may not baitfish in area unless shown on baitground maps;
- it must carry on board latest baitground maps;
- keep daily record of baitfishing;
- carry on board approved local fishing area maps;
- erase all foreign fishing registration markings and paint approved identifying marks at turn of bow and on both sides of bridge superstructure or other part of vessel as required in contrasting colours, at least one meter high, and name of vessel in English in large letters at bow and stern;
- clearly exhibit identifying marks on all baitfishing boats and fixed fishing gear;
- not fish on submerged reef beyond 500 meter limit except with written permission, pursuant to agreement with customary owners, area councils, or provincial governments of area.
For foreign fishing vessels not chartered by Solomon Islands companies:
-No fishing permitted within territorial sea limits.
-Identifying mark shown on permit (international radio call sign) must be painted on hull amidships on both sides and elsewhere as required, in contrasting colors at least one meter high, as well as name of vessel in English in large letters on bow and stern of vessel.
(Fisheries (Foreign Fishing Vessels) Regulations, 1981-1983)
AGREEMENTS
Agreement between Solomon Islands and Japanese Tuna Fisheries Cooperative Associations, January 1984, valid through December 1984 and extendable
-Associations to make best efforts to ensure members' and vessels' compliance with Fisheries Act.
-Associations to appoint and maintain agent in Honiara.
-In order to be eligible for permit, vessels applying to fish must first submit a Fishing Vessel Register Application Form.
-Permits valid for calendar year but must be activated for intended fishing period; permit activation may be by telex.
-Authorized vessels to display radio call sign or signal letters on top and on both sides amidships of vessels where clearly discernible from air, in contrasting colours, with letters at least 1 meter high and 40 cm. wide.
-Observers to be taken on board as mutually agreed upon; observers to be provided with food and accommodations equivalent to that of vessel crew; observers may not intervene in lawful operation of vessel.
-Vessels not required to enter port unless specifically instructed to do so.
-Permission required for transhipment of catch or entry into port for unloading or loading catch, etc. designated by the Pacific Island parties. (Annex 1, part 6)
Pacific Island States/United States Treaty on Fisheries, signed April 1987
-The operator and crew members of vessel shall allow and assist an observer
-Application form contains: full name, radio call sign and regional register number of vessel, full names and addresses of each person who is an operator, full name and address of insurer, whether owner or charterer is insolvent, whether operator or vessel has been involved in a treaty violation. (Schedule 1)
-Closed areas:
All waters within the fishery limits of the Solomon Islands (including internal waters, territorial sea and archipelagic waters) except that part of the fishery limits east and north of the following coordinates: commencing at a point
161°E, 4°20'S, then extending due south along 161° to a point 6°30'S, then by a line extending due east to a point 165°E, then by a line due south to a point 8°S, then by aline due east to a point 169°55'E. (Schedule 2)		 LEGISLATION
For all vessels: keep daily catch record.
For vessels chartered by local company:
-report weekly as required to principal Licensing Officer on position, summary of catch on board, etc.
-no later than 14 days after end of voyage and as required, submit daily catch record of bait and other fishing operations or statement of no operations.
For vessels not chartered by local company:
-report location, catch on board, and time of entry into fishery limits 24 hours in advance.
-report entry and departure, specifying time, position and catch on board.
-submit catch and effort report to principal Licensing Officer or regional fisheries agency as required, no later than 7 days after end of voyage.
-submit statement of no operations if no fishing operations during authorized fishing period, within 7 days of end of voyage.
(Fisheries (Foreign Fishing Vessels) Regulations 1981-1983)
AGREEMENTS
Agreement between Solomon Islands and Japanese Tuna Fisheries Cooperative, January 1984
-Reports to made on entry into and departure from zone in prescribed form, giving catch on board by species.
-Weekly position and catch report to be made each Wednesday in prescribed form.
-Permit holder to report by telex within 7 days of completion of each trip, in prescribed form, if vessel has obtained a permit activation for that trip. If not, permit holder to send statement of no operation stating that vessel has not entered fishery limits during trip.
-Captain of vessel to maintain on board a daily record of catch, in prescribed form.
-Catch report form to be kept up to date and produced on demand; completed form to be forwarded to principal Licensing Officer within 45 days of completion of each fishing trip.
-Communications with patrol vessels to be made by using international code of signals.
Pacific Island States/United States Treaty on Fisheries, signed April 1987
-Licensing area reports to the administrator.
-Port departure and entry into port for unloading:
- report type (LBEG) for port departure to begin fishing and LFIN for port entry for unloading;
- date;
- call sign;
- port name;
- catch on board by species (in short tons). Weekly reports:
- report type (WEEK);
- date;
- call sign;
- position (to one minute of arc);
- catch on board by species.
(Schedule 4, part 1)
-Reports to national authorities:
Zone entry and exit:
- report type (ZENT for entry and ZEXT for exit);
- date;
- call sign;
- position (to one minute of arc);
- catch on board by species.
Port entry reports:
- report type (PENT);
- date;
- call sign;
- estimated time of entry into port (GMT)
- port name.
(Schedule 4, parts 1 and 2)
Other national reporting requirements:
-Report on expected vessel position, date and time of entry at least 24 hours prior to entry into the Solomon Islands Fishery Limits;
-Report on entry into or exit from Solomon Islands Limited Area, along with the catch on board by weight and volume;
-Weekly report of catch taken and fishing days in the Solomon Islands exclusive economic zone, covering the period from 00.01 hours on a Monday to 24.00 hours on the following Sunday, and to be received by noon on the following Tuesday. (Schedule 4, part 3)


Table D: -Compliance control and reporting conditions-

- For key to alphabetical code see page preceding this table.
- Numbers represent periodicity of reports(in days / hours) or deadlines For submission of reports; W = weekly; D = daily; M = monthly; R = on request .
% = Reports must be made every 3 days for vessels from Norway, Sweden and Faroes when fishing for herring, weekly when fishing for other species .
O = Logbook to be filled out(radio report to be made) after every fishing operation .
* = Country is a part to the South Pacific FFA arrangement which stipulates that licences will not be issued to foreign fishing vessels unless those vessels are listed in good standing on the FFA - maintained regional register of fishing vessels .

COMPLIANCE CONTROL AND OTHER CONDITIONS

A . Vessel to bear specified identification markings
B . Licence / permit to be carried on board
C . Vessel to board observers as required
D . Vessel to submit fishing plan
E . Vessel to put in for port inspections on entry / departure from zone
F . Vessel to carry specified position fixing equipment / transponders
G . Vessel owners to appoint local legal agents
H . Flag state to appoint national representative
I . Vessel to post performance bond / guarantee / deposit
J . Vessel to carry interpreters
K . Vessel to Seek prior authorization for transhipments
L . Vessel to stow gear while in area where not authorized to fish
M . Requirements concerning local landing / processing of catch
N . Requirements concerning protection of local fisheries / gear
O . Requirements concerning employment / training of coastal state nationals in crew

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

P . Reporting on or prior to entry into the zone
Q . Reporting on or prior to departure from the zone
R . Reporting on commencement or cessation of fishing operations
S . Reporting on or prior to entry into coastal state ports
T . Timely reporting on position
U . Timely reporting on catch and effort
V . Maintenance of fishing logs .
W . Submission of logbooks / catch reports : - on request / as required / at specified intervals
X . Submission of logbooks / catch reports : - on entry into port
Y . Submission of logbooks / catch reports : - on / after completion of voyage / end of permit
Z . Controls over transitting of zone by unlicensed foreign fishing vessels

COASTAL COUNTRIES A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
SOLOMON ISLANDS* X X X       X         X   X   X24 X   X XW XW XD X   X7  


Table E: -Penalties for unauthorized foreign fishing-

STATE FINES IMPRISONMENT FORFEITURE
SOLOMON ISLANDS SI$ 250 000 NO Vessel, gear and catch: Court may order.

 

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