Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) - New Caledonia

Articles 7 and 9 of the Convention. Requirements for the issue of certificates of competency. The Committee notes with regret that, in its very brief report, the Government confines itself to indicating that it is not in a position to provide the information requested. The Committee recalls its previous comments, in which it noted that the experience required for the issue of certificates of competency for mates and engineers in fishing, set respectively at 18 and 15 months, is not in conformity of the provisions of the Convention. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the manner in which compliance is ensured with the conditions set out in these Articles of the Convention and to provide a copy of any relevant text in this respect. The Committee also notes, according to the available information, that the New Caledonia Maritime Vocational School provides, among other courses, preparatory training for the skipper’s certificate for small vessels and the skipper’s certificate for fishing vessels. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the competency certificate required to perform the functions of skipper on board a fishing vessel of over 25 tonnes, and particularly a longline vessel. The Government is also requested to provide further information on the conditions for the issue of this certificate (minimum age, prescribed experience, content of the training).