In the vast central and western Pacific Ocean, collection of comprehensive fisheries statistics is complicated by the large number of nations and territories governing the waters of the region and the prominence of highly mobile vessels from distant water fishing nations in the exploitation of fish stocks. A regional approach to the collection of catch statistics is therefore essential. To this end, the governments of the region have approved development and implementation of a regional statistical system which recognizes both the efficiency of a regional data collection and the interdependence of fisheries in the region due to the highly migratory nature of the pelagic target species.