Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Archives

U.S. Coast Guard Enforces Fisheries Regs on the High Seas

January 29, 2019 — The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon is in the South Pacific, conducting the kind of law enforcement patrol that isn’t often possible: stopping other nations’ ships on the high seas to ensure compliance with an international treaty.

In the ordinary course of business, a suspect vessel cannot be inspected and searched in international waters unless it either is stateless or the boarding party has the permission of the vessel’s flag state. However, the 43 nations of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) have pre-authorized law enforcement units from 13 enforcer nations to board and inspect any WCPFC member’s vessels for compliance with fisheries rules. Any violations found are recorded and reported to the Commission, which notifies the suspect vessel’s flag state.

Read the full story at The Maritime Executive

WCPFC agrees on extension of high seas FAD ban

December 18, 2018 — Pacific Islands fisheries leaders expressed satisfaction with the actions taken by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to support sustainability of the fishery and minimum labor standards for fishing crews, according to an update from the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA).

A compromise worked out late on Dec. 14 allowed for an extension of provisions in the “Tropical Tuna Measure” that is essential to sustainable management of the tuna fishery, said Forum Fisheries Agency director general, Manu Tupou-Roosen, and PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru.

This includes the continuation of provisions for a three-month prohibition on use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) by purse seiners in exclusive economic zones and high seas areas between from July 1-Sept. 30, and an additional two-month prohibition on FAD use on the high seas.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Pacific groups seek vessel standards, ramp up IUU fight

December 11, 2018 — Two groups that represent the interests of Pacific island nations would like a United Nations council that regulates fishing in the region to adopt international minimum standards for vessels.

The groups, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), want the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to adopt the standards resolution at the commission’s meeting next week in Honolulu, the capital city of the US state of Hawaii.

The FAA said in a press release that minimum labor standards would “enhance economic benefits” to vessel crewmembers from small island states.

“We want to promote enhanced employment opportunities for our members, but we must ensure that the vessels operating in our region are safe working platforms for our people, with fair terms and conditions of employment,” said Manu Tupou-Roosen, the FFA’s director general. “This why we have all agreed on this proposed crewing labor standard.”

Members of the PNA and the FAA are targeting a goal of 33,000 jobs in the fishing industry for Pacific Islanders by 2023, up from 23,000 currently. Around half of all current jobs are held by women in the tuna sector but the groups hope to boost islanders’ employment aboard vessels, particularly longliners.

In a separate release, the FFA said its members were cracking down on Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean “like never before”.

“We have implemented a management system for the purse seiners through the vessel day scheme that has greatly reduced opportunities for IUU activity in this fishery,” Ludwig Kumoru, the PNA’s CEO said. “Our requirement of 100 percent fisheries observer coverage on purse seiners and other measures is a big deterrent to illegal fishing.”

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

Pacific nations resist US push to lift tuna quota

December 11, 2018 — Pacific island nations have vowed to oppose US efforts to increase its catch limit in the world’s largest tuna fishery, saying the proposal does nothing to improve sustainable fishing.

The United States is expected to try to increase its quota for bigeye tuna at a meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) taking place in Honolulu this week.

The meeting brings together 26 nations to determine fishing policy in the Pacific, which accounts for almost 60 percent of the global tuna catch, worth about $6.0 billion annually.

It is mostly made up of small island nations but also includes so-called “distant-water nations” that come from as far afield as Europe, China, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan to fish Pacific tuna.

Island nations regularly accuse them of being reluctant to curb the lucrative industry in the interests of long-term conservation.

President Donald Trump’s administration will push this year to catch more bigeye—one of the most sought after species of tuna for sashimi—as a reward for complying with the commission’s monitoring rules.

All fishing fleets are supposed to carry independent fisheries observers on at least five percent of their boats as means of ensuring quotas are not exceeded and to collect accurate data.

However, most nations aside from the United States ignore the monitoring requirement.

Read the full story at PHYS.org

Hawaii Tuna Fishermen Want Higher Quotas

December 4, 2018 — Hawaii’s longliners caught their quota for bigeye tuna early again this year. But that may not be an issue going forward if U.S. officials can negotiate a higher limit next week with an international fisheries commission.

Read the full story at the Honolulu Civil Beat

ISSF: WCPFC December meeting is chance to review tuna measures

November 30, 2018 — All of the tuna stocks under the oversight of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), except for Pacific bluefin, are at “green” or healthy levels, the International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF) reports.

However, the WCPFC meeting scheduled for Dec. 9-14, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a chance to review supporting measures proposed by ISSF and also the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to better preserve tropical tuna species, suggest Claire van der Geest, an ISSF strategy policy advisor, and Bubba Cook, the WWF’s western and central Pacific Ocean tuna program manager, in a blog posted this week by ISSF.

Those include strengthening the management of fish aggregating devices (FADs) by using non-entangling designs and also improving the management of at-sea transshipment practices to reduce Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities as well as bad labor practices.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

86% of Global Tuna Catch Comes from Stocks at Healthy Levels, Some Stocks Remain Overfished

November 8, 2018 — The following was released by the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation:

Of the total tuna catch, 86% came from stocks at “healthy” levels, an 8% increased share of the total catch since last reported, according to an October 2018 International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) Status of the Stocks report. Skipjack tuna stocks — at healthy levels in all ocean regions — still comprise more than one-half of the total catch.

Though many of the broad indicators of overall global stock health remain unchanged, there were several notable changes for specific commercial tuna species:

The assessment for Western and Central Pacific bigeye was more optimistic, showing that the stock is not overfished and that recent management measures put in place by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) appear to be working effectively.

Atlantic Ocean bigeye received a pessimistic stock assessment from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and remains overfished. In 2017, Atlantic bigeye catches exceeded the total allowable catch (TAC) by approximately 20%. ISSF has long advocated that ICCAT adopt stock-specific management measures to effectively control the catch of bigeye and other overfished species in the region including Atlantic yellowfin.

Catches of Eastern Pacific bigeye in 2017 increased 10% from 2016 levels. The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Council (IATTC) conducted an update assessment of the stock that appears to indicate that the stock is experiencing overfishing. The results should be viewed with caution due to the high levels of uncertainty in the assessment. Nevertheless, several fishery indicators suggest that the management measures in place are insufficient to effectively control fishing.

The stock status of South Pacific albacore is confirmed as very healthy, but the stock assessment covers only the WCPFC Convention Area South of the equator, not taking into consideration part of the catches from the IATTC Convention Area (EPO).

There were no other major changes in tuna stock status since the previous February 2018 Status of the Stocks report; the updated report reflects new data made available at 2018 tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) meetings held through October 2018.

Key Statistics in the Report

Total catch: In 2016, the total major commercial tuna catch was 4.9 million tonnes. More than half of the total catch (57%) was skipjack tuna, followed by yellowfin (30%), bigeye (8%) and albacore (4%). Bluefin tunas (3 species) accounted for only 1% of the global catch. These percentages changed only slightly from the February 2018 report.

Abundance or “spawning biomass” levels: Globally, 65% of the 23 stocks are at a healthy level of abundance, 13% are overfished and 22% are at an intermediate level. In terms of total catch, 86% come from healthy stocks, 10% from overfished stocks and 4% from stocks at an intermediate level. Unchanged from the last reporting, the stocks receiving orange scores — indicating overfished status — remain Atlantic Ocean bigeye, Pacific Ocean bluefin and Indian Ocean yellowfin.

Fishing mortality levels: 70% of the 23 stocks are experiencing a well-managed fishing mortality rate and 17% are experiencing overfishing.

Largest catches by stock: The five largest catches in tonnes are Western Pacific Ocean skipjack, Western Pacific Ocean yellowfin, Indian Ocean skipjack, Indian Ocean yellowfin and Eastern Pacific Ocean skipjack.
Tuna production by ocean region: Most (53%) of the world’s tuna is harvested from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, followed by the Indian Ocean (20%), Eastern Pacific Ocean (13%) and Atlantic Ocean (10%).
Tuna production by fishing gear: 65% of the catch is made by purse seining, followed by longline (12%), pole-and-line (8%), gillnets (3%) and miscellaneous gears (12%). These percentages have not changed since the February report.

About the Report

There are 23 stocks of major commercial tuna species worldwide — 6 albacore, 4 bigeye, 4 bluefin, 5 skipjack, and 4 yellowfin stocks. The Status of the Stocks summarizes the results of the most recent scientific assessments of these stocks, as well as the current management measures adopted by the RFMOs. Updated several times per year, Status of the Stocks assigns color ratings (green, yellow or orange) using a consistent methodology based on three factors: Abundance, Exploitation/Management (fishing mortality) and Environmental Impact (bycatch).

ISSF produces two reports annually that seek to provide clarity about where we stand — and how much more needs to be done — to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna stocks: the Status of the Stocks provides a comprehensive analysis of tuna stocks by species, and the Evaluation of the Sustainability of Global Tuna Stocks Relative to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Criteria provides scores for the stocks and RFMOs based on MSC assessment criteria. The MSC-certified fisheries list (Appendix 2) in Status of the Stocks complements the Evaluation report. Together, these tools help to define the continuous improvement achieved, as well as the areas and issues that require more attention.

In addition, ISSF maintains a data-visualization tool based on its Status of the Stocks report. The “Status of the Stocks Tool” is located on the ISSF website and accessible through the Status of the Stocks overview page; users can easily toggle through tuna stock health indicators and filter by location, species and other key stock health and catch factors.

Japanese proposal for bluefin catch increase rejected

September 14, 2018 — Japan’s proposal for increasing the catch quota of Pacific bluefin tuna by about 15 percent from 2019 has been rejected.

Japan made its request at the committee meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Fukuoka, Japan, which took place 3 to 7 September. Japan pushed for the quota increase after scientific data showed a recovery in the stock.

The WCPFC has set a mid-term target of increasing stocks of adult Pacific bluefin tuna (those weighing 30 kilograms or more) from the latest estimate of the current 21,000 metric tons (MT) to 43,000 MT in 2024. The scientific committee of the commission announced in mid-July that the probability of achieving the target would be 74 percent if the total catch, including both fish weighing less than 30 kilograms and those over, were to increase by 15 percent from 2019.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

Some Good News for Pacific Bluefin Tuna

September 6, 2018 — Although the Pacific bluefin tuna numbers continue to be low, there are signs the population is recovering and rebuilding targets set forth by international agreement are on track to be met. In July 2018, The International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) released the most recent assessment of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and evaluated the likelihood of reaching internationally established rebuilding targets. The bluefin spawning stock biomass (SSB) was estimated to be 3.3% in 2016 relative to their unfished SSB, up from 3.0% in 2014. Unfished spawning stock biomass is the theoretical amount of fish there would be had there never been fishing. The amount and rate of bluefin harvested continues to be high with the greatest catches (and thus impact) on juveniles in the western Pacific Ocean. NOAA Fisheries scientists participate in these assessments and since 2013 the agency has listed Pacific bluefin tuna as overfished and subject to overfishing.

The assessment also projected the stock’s performance based on its status in 2016, management measures in place now, as well as other harvest scenarios. Overall, the analyses indicate that the stock biomass is expected to reach the initial biomass rebuilding target adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) by 2024 with a 98% probability, and the second biomass rebuilding target by 10 years after reaching the initial rebuilding target or by 2034, whichever is earlier, with a 96% probability. Experts have not yet determined the amount of biomass that would indicate the population is recovered or rebuilt.

See the 2018 stock assessment and projections

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission is expected to adopt catch limits for 2019 and possibly beyond at its annual meeting in August 2018. Given the projections for achieving the rebuilding targets are optimistic, the WCPFC may consider increasing catches when it meets in December 2018.

The best way to ensure the long-term sustainability of Pacific bluefin tuna is through international cooperation. NOAA Fisheries recognizes concerns about low numbers of Pacific bluefin tuna, and the United States has taken several steps to control the impact of U.S. harvests and has led international action to reduce fishing mortality, rebuild the species, and monitor status.

ISC also assessed the shortfin mako shark and Western and Central Pacific swordfish populations this year and noted no concerns about these stocks.

Want more info? Check out these bluefin FAQs and our Pacific bluefin tuna page.

Read the full story at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center

Japan to Propose Bluefin Tuna Catch Quota Increase At WCPFC Meeting

August 2, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The government plans to propose raising catch quotas for Pacific bluefin tuna — a popular component of high-grade sushi — in September, following an international body’s recent estimate that it is feasible to increase catches by up to about 15 percent from 2019, thanks to a recovery in the stock.

Overfishing has drastically declined bluefin stock to about 10 percent of its peak level of 168,125 tons in 1961. Since 2015, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission has set caps on catches to strengthen the management of the resource. The commission has 26 member countries and regions, including Japan and the United States.

The WCPFC has set a mid-term target of increasing stocks of adult Pacific bluefin tuna weighing 30 kilograms or more, from the latest estimate of about 21,000 tons to 43,000 tons in 2024. At the same time, the commission has adopted a policy of allowing higher catch quotas once the probability of achieving the target reaches 70 percent or more.

An international organization comprising experts in such fields as fishery survey announced in mid-July that the probability of achieving the target would be 74 percent if total catches — which combine small-sized fish weighing less than 30 kilograms and large ones of 30 kilograms or larger — increase by 15 percent from 2019.

This has led Tokyo to plan to propose increasing catch quotas at a September committee meeting of the WCPFC in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the hope of obtaining understanding from respective countries and regions. The government is working out details of the proposal, such as a specific increase in catch quotas for both small and adult fish.

Bluefin tuna caught in the Pacific Ocean accounts for 60 percent of the Japan market. The nation’s catch quota is set at 4,007 tons for small fish — about half of the average in previous years — and 4,882 tons for adult fish, which is equivalent to this category’s average.

Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks have also plunged due to overfishing, but strict regulations — such as prohibiting fishing small ones in principle — have subsequently been successful, resulting in a decision to raise catch quotas.

This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.