By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Chair Dr Josie Tamate says the Pacific expects decisions this week, not delays, and the adoption of a management procedure for South Pacific albacore must be delivered.
In her opening statement Monday at the WCPFC22 in Manila, Dr Tamate underlined the scale of the moment for the region and the global tuna industry.
“2025 was another big year for all of us; and especially in the Ocean space,” she said, citing the Honiara Summit, talks with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission(IATTC) to establish a Joint Working Group on South Pacific albacore, the third UN Ocean Conference, intersessional work, and a full slate of subsidiary body meetings in recent months.
She thanked the Chairs and Leads of subsidiary bodies for their work across the year.
“It is not easy to juggle both the work you must do for your governments and WCPFC work, and I want to acknowledge your commitment and your invaluable contribution to the work of the WCPFC.”
Dr Tamate said the packed agenda reflects the gravity of the issues before members.
“The WCPFC22 agenda is very comprehensive. This is to be expected given the importance of WCPFC stocks to global tuna supply, the transition that is underway to full implementation of harvest strategies, and the significance of monitoring, control and enforcement efforts for conservation and management.”
But she made clear the meeting’s central test is agreement this week on the long-delayed South Pacific albacore management procedure (SPA MP).
“My top priority for this week’s meeting is the adoption of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure (SPA MP),” she told delegates.
“Agreement on SPA MP would demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to harvest strategies and the management of an economically important fishery.”
After eight years of technical work, members are entering Manila with a foundation for decision-making already laid.
“Whilst it has taken us a bit longer to get to where we are today, I believe we are in a best possible position now; and you have done the necessary work to progress the discussions throughout the year,” Dr Tamate said.
“Those discussions have laid out the groundwork for the successful conclusion of a SPA MP this year.”
She added that she expects strong engagement throughout the week as members face complex issues, including harvest strategies, monitoring and compliance, and future tasking.
“I am confident that there is a strong commitment to progress this, and other work of the Commission,” she said.
“Where there are issues which we may not reach consensus, I will be looking for decisions on process and tasking for 2026.”
“Members, I am ready to work. I look forward to your support and thank you for all your efforts,” said Dr Tamate.
The five-day meeting in Manila is expected to test the Commission’s unity, with economic pressures on longline fisheries, sustainability expectations from global markets, and Pacific Island countries seeking decisions that match the scale of their tuna-dependent economies.
