By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is warning that climate change and marine pollution are emerging as direct threats to the region’s tuna fisheries, saying the health of the ocean will determine the future of one of the Pacific’s most valuable resources.
In its Twenty-Second Regular Session Annual Report, the Commission says the marine environment is now central to the security of Pacific tuna stocks.
“A healthy marine environment is essential to healthy tuna stocks,” the report states.
“Threats from pollution, climate change, and destructive fishing practices can harm the ocean ecosystem that supports thriving tuna populations.”
The Commission says pollution from plastics to toxic chemicals is already affecting tuna food sources and spawning success. The report notes that global negotiations on a Plastics Treaty underline the growing danger.
“Marine pollution is a growing concern for fisheries worldwide,” the report says, warning that warming seas are reshaping where tuna travel and reproduce. It adds that changes in tuna migration “can result in devastating consequences for Pacific SIDS if tuna stocks shift away from their EEZs.”
The WCPFC’s marine pollution measure is undergoing a full review this year, with members aiming to strengthen rules in 2026.
Canada is leading the revision process, which focuses on definitions, scope and management. A new version is expected to be ready for adoption at WCPFC23.
Meanwhile, Climate change is now a permanent item across all WCPFC meetings.
The Commission notes it adopted terms of reference in 2024 to guide development of a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment framework, funded by the United States and Chinese Taipei.
The draft framework has already been reviewed by the Northern Committee (NC), the Scientific Committee (SC) and the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC). It will go before the full Commission at WCPFC22.
The report says integrating climate impacts across all science and management work is no longer optional.
“In recognition of the threats to Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) fisheries by climate change, the Commission adopted Resolution 2019-01 … on the need to incorporate climate change into its fisheries conservation and management efforts.”
Under the 2024–2027 climate workplan, all three subsidiary bodies were tasked with climate-related work this year.
NC21 adopted a new 2026–2028 programme that includes developing a framework for how climate analysis will be built into its processes.
SC21 reviewed updates to the ecosystem and climate indicators “report card,” which now includes new candidate indicators developed after a 2024 workshop. Scientists recommended adding estimated median phytoplankton size — derived from satellite SST and chlorophyll-a data — to future reporting.
TCC21 supported this scientific direction and called for clearer information on data gaps that could block deeper understanding of climate impacts.
According to the report, the Commission will continue exploring “appropriate ways to incorporate climate change into the work of the Commission,” and will look to outside expertise and closer coordination with other regional fisheries management bodies, especially Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission(IATTC).
But the challenge is growing.
“As scientists gather more information on the potential impacts of climate change on fish migratory and behavioural patterns, WCPFC will be tested in ways that will require not only adaptability, but also proactivity and a willingness to protect its most vulnerable members,” the report warns.
It says the future of the region’s tuna fisheries depends on whether the Commission can respond in time to changing ocean conditions.
