Australia and the Pacific Community (SPC) are advocating for a revision of the harvest strategy timetable set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). In a joint document presented during WCPFC22 in Manila, the two entities highlighted the urgent need for a more effective scheduling approach to avoid delays and ensure progress on vital tuna stock management.
The research paper outlines challenges beyond the current harvest strategy workplan, including overlapping timelines and the increasing technical workload pressures. A particularly concerning aspect brought up is the potential backlog of essential decisions expected in 2026, which could hinder the Commission’s efforts.
A key recommendation in the document is for a holistic approach to managing harvest strategies for the three main tropical tuna stocks: skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin. This would allow for synchronized outputs from their management procedures that align with the Tropical Tuna Measure.
To facilitate this alignment, Australia and SPC propose two crucial adjustments. Firstly, they suggest extending the skipjack management procedure cycle from three years to four. This would synchronize it with the inaugural execution of the bigeye management procedure in 2027. Secondly, they recommend postponing the complete review of the Tropical Tuna Measure from 2026 to 2027, thus alleviating pressure on the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.
The 21st Scientific Committee meeting of the WCPFC has already expressed support for the skipjack extension, citing stable stock indicators and solid management strategy evaluations that warrant a four-year cycle. It noted that only minor adjustments to the existing Conservation and Management Measures would be necessary.
Australia and SPC emphasized the importance of these updates to create a streamlined operational schedule for the Commission moving forward. However, conservation advocates are sounding alarms about the urgency of the situation. Uematsu Shuhei from WWF Japan indicated that the forthcoming year is crucial for the management of bigeye and yellowfin tuna. He warned that delays in agreeing on the Harvest Strategy could jeopardize sustainable fisheries and adversely impact future fisheries and market stability.
The discussions around the Southern Albacore are already consuming significant time, and there are concerns that the current five-day annual session of the Commission won’t suffice to cover the extensive agenda. WWF advocates for at least two additional hybrid meetings leading up to WCPFC23 to ensure adequate stakeholder discussions can take place and a consensus can be reached on the harvest strategies for these critical tuna species.
As the WCPFC navigates this critical juncture, the pressure to reset and enhance its harvest strategy timetable is palpable. There is a clear recognition among stakeholders that proactive measures are necessary to safeguard the health of tuna stocks and the sustainability of fisheries for years to come.