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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its latest report, particularly in regard to the introduction of certificates of competency for skippers, mates and engineers of fishing vessels since the recent development of bottom-line fishing for tunny in the exclusive economic zone of the territory. It also notes the information concerning the Certificat d’initiation nautique or CIN (nautical initiation certificate) for bottom-line fishing, which qualifies the bearer to work as a fisher on board fishing vessels. It requests further information on the following matters.

Articles 7 and 9 of the Convention. The Committee recalls that the minimum professional experience required by the Convention is not less than three years’ sea service engaged in deck duties for the issue of a mate’s certificate of competency and not less than three years’ sea service in the engine-room for the issue of an engineer’s certificate of competency. It notes that, according to the Government’s report, the minimum professional experience prescribed to obtain the grades of second engineer and engineer is 18 months and 15 months, respectively. The Committee therefore asks the Government to provide clarification on this matter.

Part V of the report form. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report more detailed information on the fishery sector, particularly on the number of vessels over 25 tonnes registered in New Caledonia, the number of certificates issued, statistics on the contraventions recorded concerning fishers’ competency certificates and the follow-up effected as well as any other information enabling it to better assess the conformity of national law and practice with the requirements of the Convention.