Number of vessels active

The number of active vessels in the Convention Area each year, by size class where applicable, are to be reported to the Commission annually.
This can be done by providing a list or an aggregated count of vessels by category, fleet, and flag.

For all gears, data should reflect the number of active vessels that were operational during the reporting period, disaggregated by flag, fleet, year, month, and—where possible—by latitude and longitude.
This information provides important context for interpreting spatial and temporal changes in fishing effort and capacity.

Special considerations for Troll vessels

Troll fisheries require additional reporting by ocean area, given their operational distribution across distinct latitudinal zones of the Pacific.
Specifically, troll vessel data must distinguish between:

• The WCPFC Statistical Area south of the Equator
• The WCPFC Statistical Area north of the Equator
• And, for troll vessels targeting albacore in the Pacific Ocean south of the Equator, the reporting should clearly identify both:
  • The WCPFC Statistical Area south of the Equator, and
  • The Pacific Ocean south of the Equator

In addition, the reporting period for South Pacific troll fisheries differs from other gear types.
For these fleets, the reporting year covers the fishing period from July to June, rather than the standard calendar year (January to December) used for other gears and areas.

Notes:

• Troll data must therefore specify both the geographic area (north/south of the Equator) and the reporting year range (July–June).
• When possible, separate tables should be provided for northern and southern troll vessel operations.
• All other gears continue to report on a calendar-year basis using the same spatial grid (1°x1°).

👉 Data providers can also download ready-to-use CSV data templates for each format.

CSV Data Templates

• Aggregated Format Data Template
• Troll Vessels Data Template

Aggregated by Vessel Category

In the case where it is not possible to provide a full list of vessels, an aggregated number of vessels by category can be provided.

* Vessel categories are dependent on the gear type, see below in the reference table for details.

Data format details

Troll vessel reporting distinguishes between ocean areas within and outside the WCPFC Statistical Area.
This allows the Commission to capture the activity of troll fleets operating both north and south of the Equator and, in particular, troll vessels targeting albacore in the South Pacific.

Example document – Troll Vessels

Field descriptions – Troll Vessels

Notes:

• Troll vessel reports should clearly separate operations by north/south of the Equator and South Pacific targeting albacore.
• The reporting year for South Pacific troll data covers July–June, unlike the calendar year for other gears.
• All counts represent the number of active vessels, not total registered vessels.

References

Reference Table 1: Vessel gear listing

Reference Table 2: Vessel Categories by Gear Type

Reference Table 3: List of Fleets

If there is no record in the table below detailing a fleet code, the fleet code should be null.