By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Dr Josie Tamate, says she is “confident” the Tuna Commission can finally agree on a long-delayed management procedure for South Pacific albacore when members meet in Manila next week but warns the organisation’s credibility will be on the line if they fail again.
Speaking exclusively to PACNEWS ahead of WCPFC22, Dr Tamate said members have spent months narrowing gaps and are entering the Manila talks with a stronger sense of unity and urgency.
“There is a proposal on the table, and the members will continue their discussions and negotiations,” she said.
“These discussions continue from the two workshops held leading up to Manila and the consultations between members as they look to narrow gaps in positions towards a consensus. Therefore, I am confident that there is a strong commitment to work towards the adoption of a management procedure for South Pacific Albacore (SPA).”
She said her role next week is clear.
“I am looking forward to the week ahead and my goal is to provide the space and time for the discussions to reach consensus for the adoption of the MP for SPA.”
After years of stalled progress, Dr Tamate said there are now tangible signs that members are ready to commit.
“This is the year for SPA,” she told PACNEWS. “In addition to the two WCPFC workshops on SPA, the FFA group have had extensive discussions as well.”
She highlighted what may be the strongest indicator so far — the coordinated push from Pacific states.
“The FFA membership concluded and adopted a proportional allocation of SPA among FFA members in July this year along with the commitment for a unified position to be taken at the WCPFC on the negotiation of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure (SPA MP),” she said.
“There is also a call from a number of observers of the WCPFC urging for an adoption of a MP for SPA at this WCPFC meeting. The members are rolling up their sleeves to get to work and as Chair, I am very committed to work towards an adoption.”
But Dr Tamate made it clear that failure in Manila would carry consequences for the fishery, the longline industry, and the Commission’s reputation.
“Eleven years ago, the WCPFC committed itself to implement a Harvest Strategy approach for key fisheries and stocks in the WCPO,” she said.
She noted past successes — an interim skipjack MP in 2022 and harvest strategies for Pacific bluefin and North Pacific albacore in 2023 and the workplan that required South Pacific albacore to be completed last year.
“That did not happen,” she said.
Still, she highlighted the progress made in 2024, including cooperation with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
“WCPFC21 did make a commitment to work with IATTC to establish a Joint Working Group for South Pacific Albacore and the intersessional work to be undertaken in 2025.”
But her message on the consequences of failure was blunt: “The Commission credibility will be on the line if there is no consensus. And so, I am determined to do everything I can in my capacity as Chair to ensure we reach a consensus.”
Next week’s meeting will test that commitment and determine whether the region’s most politically difficult stock finally gets the long-term harvest strategy it was promised more than a decade ago.
