By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Chair Dr Josie Tamate says the Tuna Commission will continue to anchor all decisions in science as members navigate the tension between long-term sustainability and mounting economic pressures on fishing nations.
In an interview with PACNEWS in Manila, Dr Tamate said the Commission’s track record speaks for itself.
“The Commission and its work have contributed significantly towards maintaining the healthy status of the key tuna species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Decisions are based on science and evidence-based,” she said.
Her remarks come as Pacific countries, distant-water fishing nations (DWFNs), industry players and NGOs press the Commission to adopt modern management tools from harvest strategies to tougher high-seas transshipment rules to safeguard the region’s multibillion-dollar tuna fishery.
Environmental groups and major markets have warned that failure to strengthen oversight could eventually jeopardise ecolabel certifications and market access.
Dr Tamate said the Commission hears those concerns.
“Yes. I value the views from our Observers,” she told PACNEWS.
With South Pacific albacore and transshipment rules dominating early discussions, Dr Tamate said WCPFC22 must still deliver progress on a wider set of priorities to be deemed a successful meeting.
She listed five areas that need movement this week:
*Climate Change
*Implementation of Article 30 on SIDs requirement
*Seabirds
*Addressing data gaps
*Bigeye tuna TRP – this is the next species on the Harvest Strategy Work Plan.
The reference to Article 30 signals continuing frustrations from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), who argue new Commission measures must avoid placing disproportionate burdens on Pacific countries whose economies rely heavily on Tuna.
WCPFC22 continues this week in Manila, with negotiations expected to intensify as the Commission works toward agreement on harvest strategies and other long-pending measures.
