By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The US$1 billion South Pacific albacore industry is on the line as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) heads into critical talks in Manila next week, with PEW warning that outdated management is putting the region’s most valuable “white tuna” market at risk.
PEW’s Senior Officers International Fisheries, Dave Gershman and Glen Holmes say the stakes could not be higher after the WCPFC failed last year to adopt a Modern Management Procedure (MP) for South Pacific albacore — a move now essential to keep the fishery’s access to key markets.
“If the same thing happens this year, the US$1 billion market for this tuna… may face severe disruption,” they said.
The pressure is coming from consumers and buyers demanding sustainability, and from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), whose ecolabel opens the door to premium global markets.
MSC has set a hard deadline from 2026, South Pacific albacore fisheries cannot receive or keep certification without an adopted MP.
“Some South Pacific albacore fisheries are set to lose their MSC label if the WCPFC does not adopt a new, more modern management approach… this year,” the authors warn.
Losing certification, they say, would carry “enormous” financial consequences, especially for Pacific small island developing economies that rely heavily on tuna revenue.
An MP — also known as a harvest strategy — would lock in a long-term, science-driven system that avoids annual political battles over catch limits. Managers would pre-agree on how fishing levels change as stock conditions change.
“For example, if scientists determine that the South Pacific albacore population is healthy, catch levels would stay the same or could even increase… But if the population declines, limits would go down by pre-agreed amounts,” Gershman and Holmes said.
Pacific Island countries and Australia have led the push for adoption since last year, with scientists already evaluating nearly 40 potential MPs. All that remains is for managers to choose one.
“The analysis has been done. The science is clear. And the consequences of inaction could be disastrous for South Pacific communities.
“WCPFC managers must step up and adopt an MP for South Pacific albacore without delay,” they said.
