At-sea observer programs have historically been used to collect fisheries-dependent data, but the coverage (as a percentage of fishing effort) is often less than preferred or considered optimal. Through a combination of video and sensors, electronic monitoring (EM) is seen as having the potential to address some of the limitations within at-sea observer programs and facilitate adequate data collection to support management decision-making. In the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) tuna longline fisheries, where observer coverage has historically been low, the advent of EM technology has been perceived by some countries as a way of meeting their at-sea observer coverage requirements (5% of total effort) under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Regional Observer Program (ROP) (CMM 2007-01). In implementing EM it is critical that data continuity is not compromised to avoid potential flow on effects in the provision of scientific analyses and advice. This paper will discuss the capability of EM to collect at-sea observer data required under the WCPFC ROP’s accompanying Minimum Standard Data Fields and implications for international data collection and exchange.