Taking Action in Suva: The WCPFC’s Critical Role in Securing the Future for Key Fisheries

November 14, 2024

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) annual meeting in Suva, Fiji, presents an opportunity to tackle critical fisheries issues impacting the region. From tuna to swordfish, Pacific fisheries are vital resources, providing food security, economic support, and cultural value to numerous island communities and nations. However, these fisheries face significant challenges with pressures from declining catch rates, climate impacts, and competing economic demands. This year’s meeting could be a turning point, as WCPFC members are set to discuss and potentially adopt management measures that can secure a sustainable future for key stocks, including South Pacific albacore, bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas.

To meet these challenges, the WCPFC must adopt modern management procedures to reinforce scientific collaboration and establish support structures for ongoing development. Taking action on these fronts will ensure that fisheries across the Western and Central Pacific are resilient and sustainable for future generations.

A Management Procedure for South Pacific Albacore

The South Pacific Group and Australia have proposed an interim management procedure (MP) for the South Pacific albacore fishery, which has undergone extensive testing through management strategy evaluation (MSE). Adopting this MP would mark a significant step forward in modernizing fisheries management in the region, securing a sustainable future for this economically and culturally important stock.

Implementation Through a New Conservation and Management Measure

To realize the benefits of the MP, the WCPFC must commit to developing a new conservation and management measure that will be implemented. This concept from the South Pacific Group is proposed to be further developed with a target of being adopted in 2025 so the MP can be implemented from 2026 onward. By committing to this measure, the WCPFC will ensure that the MP’s objectives are upheld across the entire Convention Area, providing consistent management that can respond to changing environmental and economic conditions.

Building Regional Cooperation with a Joint Working Group

South Pacific albacore is a shared resource, and effective management requires cooperation. The United States has proposed establishing a joint South Pacific albacore working group with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). This group would enable WCPFC and IATTC to coordinate efforts, share data, and implement aligned management approaches. Establishing this joint working group in 2025 would enhance the region’s capacity to sustainably manage a fishery that spans both Convention Areas, ensuring a cohesive approach that benefits all stakeholders. The South Pacific albacore MSE already accounts for mortality in the eastern Pacific, so it should not preclude the adoption of an MP for the stock at WCPFC this year.

Strengthening Regional Fisheries Management Across Other Key Stocks

Beyond the South Pacific albacore, the WCPFC has a broader responsibility to adopt modern, science-based management for other critical stocks. During this year’s meeting, the Commission should prioritize the following actions:

1. Adopt Target Reference Points for Bigeye and Yellowfin Tunas
   Establishing target reference points (TRPs) for bigeye and yellowfin tunas is essential to achieving sustainable fishing levels across the Pacific. Setting these benchmarks will provide a foundation for sustainable management practices and ensure that stocks remain healthy.
2. Implement a Monitoring Strategy for Skipjack Tuna
   The adoption of an MP for skipjack tuna in 2022 was a significant milestone, but further progress is needed. Implementing a skipjack monitoring strategy will allow the WCPFC to review and adjust its management approach over time, ensuring it remains effective in response to changing environmental and stock conditions.
3. Establish the Science-Management Dialogue (SMD) Group as a Permanent Body
   The SMD Group has been invaluable in advancing the development of the South Pacific albacore MP and facilitating stakeholder collaboration. The WCPFC can provide a dedicated forum for science-based management discussions by making this group permanent.
4. Develop an MP for South West Pacific Swordfish
   At the recent Scientific Committee meeting (SC20), Australia announced its intention to develop an MP for South West Pacific swordfish, a critical resource for the region. The WCPFC should endorse this initiative, with development to begin following the 2025 stock assessment. Proactive management for SWP swordfish will ensure that this fishery remains resilient and sustainable.

A Pivotal Moment for Regional Fisheries

The WCPFC’s annual meeting in Suva presents a vital opportunity to set the course for sustainable fisheries management in the Pacific. By adopting the proposed MP for South Pacific albacore, advancing other management measures, and establishing permanent support structures like the SMD Group, the Commission can protect the region’s valuable fish stocks and support the communities that depend on them. Now is the time for decisive action, collaboration, and commitment to a sustainable future for Pacific fisheries.