By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Dr. Josie Tamate, the Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), emphasized the urgency for decisive action at the start of WCPFC22 in Manila. She stressed that hesitation is not an option, as the commission must finalize the long-awaited management procedure for South Pacific albacore in order to protect tuna stocks that represent over half of the global tuna supply.
During the opening media briefing on Monday, Dr. Tamate outlined the significant role of the commission and the expectation that Pacific nations pin their hopes on this week’s decisions. “The key tuna stocks under our responsibility must remain sustainable. More than 50 percent of the tuna catch landed from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) contributes to the global tuna market,” she noted.
Dr. Tamate highlighted the vital importance of the tuna fishery, urging attendees to consider the scale of its impact: “More than 50 percent of the global tuna is sourced from the WCPO.” She pointed out that many members of the commission are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), making their economies heavily reliant on tuna revenues.
“The WCPO serves as a crucial platform to establish rules and conditions that govern and manage the fishery for sustainability,” she added. The commission will be depending significantly on its subsidiary bodies to shape the recommendations that will guide their decisions.
Despite facing considerable pressure, Dr. Tamate expressed confidence in the health of current tuna stocks and the commission’s capability to act. “At this moment, the WCPFC stocks are healthy, and we aim to keep them at this level,” she emphasized.
However, she was straightforward about the critical focus of the meeting: the adoption of the management procedure for South Pacific albacore, an issue that has seen delays for many years but now stands as a significant economic concern for Pacific fleets. “My top priority is to ensure that we adopt a South Pacific albacore management procedure,” Dr. Tamate stated, noting that discussions on this strategy began in 2017. She expressed optimism for collaborative efforts among members this week to achieve this goal.
This commitment to sustainable management of tuna stocks reflects a broader recognition of the importance of fisheries to the economies of Pacific Island nations, fostering hope for sustainable practices in the industry amidst ongoing challenges.