By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The future of the billion-dollar South Pacific albacore tuna industry hangs in the balance as critical discussions will take place next week in Manila during the upcoming meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). PEW has raised alarms about the risks posed by outdated management practices, which jeopardize the region’s most valuable “white tuna” market.
PEW’s Senior Officers for International Fisheries, Dave Gershman and Glen Holmes, have emphasized the gravity of the situation following the WCPFC’s failure last year to adopt a Modern Management Procedure (MP) for South Pacific albacore. They believe that it is essential to secure continued access to key markets for this valuable fishery.
“If the same inaction occurs this year, the US$1 billion market for this tuna could face severe disruption,” they warned. Consumer demand for sustainability and pressures from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) are driving changes, as the MSC’s ecolabel is crucial for accessing premium global markets.
Importantly, MSC has set a firm deadline of 2026 for South Pacific albacore fisheries to maintain their certification, which will hinge on the adoption of a new MP. There is a risk that some fisheries could lose their MSC label if the WCPFC does not implement a more modern management strategy this year.
The loss of such certification would lead to “enormous” financial repercussions, particularly for Pacific small island developing economies that depend heavily on tuna revenue. An MP, or harvest strategy, would establish a sustainable, science-based framework that would mitigate the political disputes over catch limits, determining fishing levels based on the health of the fish stock.
For instance, if scientists find that the albacore population is thriving, catch limits could remain stable or increase. Conversely, if stocks decline, the restrictions would be adjusted downwards according to pre-established agreements.
Pacific Island nations and Australia have been advocates for this reform since last year, with scientists currently assessing around 40 potential management strategies. The next step requires fishery managers to select one.
“The analysis has been conducted, the scientific data is clear, and the consequences of failing to act could be disastrous for South Pacific communities. WCPFC managers must prioritize the adoption of an MP for South Pacific albacore without further delay,” Gershman and Holmes asserted.
The outcome of the upcoming discussions will be pivotal for the sustainability of the albacore fishery and the economic stability of the region, fostering hope for better management practices that align with environmental standards and community needs.
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