By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The future of the lucrative US$1 billion South Pacific albacore tuna industry hangs in the balance as urgent negotiations begin in Manila next week under the auspices of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The PEW charitable trust has issued a strong warning that the fishery is at risk due to outdated management practices.
PEW’s Senior Officers for International Fisheries, Dave Gershman and Glen Holmes, emphasize the critical situation following last year’s failure of the WCPFC to adopt a Modern Management Procedure (MP) for South Pacific albacore. This step is now deemed essential for maintaining access to vital markets. “If the same thing happens this year, the US$1 billion market for this tuna may face severe disruption,” they cautioned.
Rising pressure from consumers and buyers who are increasingly demanding sustainable practices adds urgency to the situation. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which provides an ecolabel helping access premium global markets, has set a firm deadline of 2026. After this point, South Pacific albacore fisheries will neither be able to gain nor retain certification without an adopted MP.
“Some South Pacific albacore fisheries are set to lose their MSC label if the WCPFC does not adopt a modern management approach this year,” Gershman and Holmes warned. Losing this certification could lead to significant financial repercussions, disproportionately affecting small island developing nations in the Pacific that largely depend on tuna revenue.
An MP, essentially a harvest strategy, ensures a science-based management framework that prevents yearly political disputes over catch limits. This strategy would see managers pre-agreeing on how fishing levels might adjust based on the health of tuna populations. For instance, if scientists find that the albacore population remains robust, catch levels could either remain stable or be increased, whereas declines would lead to pre-agreed reductions in limits.
The push for adopting an MP has gained momentum, led by Pacific Island countries and Australia, with scientific evaluations already in place for nearly 40 potential MPs. The key now is for fisheries managers to select one.
“The analysis has been completed. The science is undeniable. The repercussions of inaction could be catastrophic for South Pacific communities,” noted Gershman and Holmes. They urged WCPFC managers to take immediate action to adopt a management procedure for South Pacific albacore, emphasizing that the time for decisive action is now.
With the stakes this high, there is hope that the dialogues in Manila will pave the way for a sustainable future for the South Pacific tuna fishery, protecting both livelihoods and marine ecosystems.