By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has issued a critical warning to the upcoming Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22) in Manila, emphasizing that without credible on-water monitoring, the region will struggle to preserve tuna stocks, safeguard threatened marine species, and establish the transparent supply chains that global markets increasingly demand.
In its message to the Commission, TNC highlighted that insufficient on-the-water monitoring represents a significant hurdle to the sustainable management of Tuna and related ecosystem resources. This monitoring is vital not only for the conservation of marine species but also for building trust in supply chains that consumers can rely upon.
TNC urged WCPFC22 to advance monitoring reforms, including the adoption of electronic monitoring (EM) data for compliance verification and an increase in monitoring coverage for longline vessels.
The organization also pointed to its Tuna Transparency Pledge (TTP), launched last year, which has gained support from nations representing over 15 percent of global tuna catch, such as the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Panama. Major retailers and processors, including Walmart, Carrefour, Thai Union, and Aramark, have pledged their support as well.
The goal of the TTP is to expedite the implementation of on-water monitoring with the target of achieving 100 percent monitoring coverage on industrial tuna vessels by 2027. In addition to its advocacy efforts, TNC has been collaborating extensively with Pacific Island fisheries authorities and regional partners, including the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), to enhance EM programs across various fishing fleets.
TNC has outlined five key outcomes it desires from the WCPFC22 meeting, which include:
– Progress on the acceptance of EM data for monitoring and verifying fishing activities.
– An increase in longline monitoring to 20 percent, with a commitment to achieving full coverage in the future.
– Enhanced measures for seabird conservation.
– Improved management of fish aggregation devices (FADs), including the use of biodegradable materials and better tracking and recovery methods.
– Strengthening transshipment regulations.
Additionally, TNC announced recent collaborations, including a $2 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to expand edge-AI tools for rapid analysis of EM footage.
TNC representatives will be present at WCPFC22, expressing their eagerness to collaborate with all stakeholders in the pursuit of sustainable fisheries management. They reiterated that advancements in monitoring and transparency are critical for the long-term viability of the region’s tuna fisheries and the communities reliant on these resources.
Through these concerted efforts and partnerships, there is hope for rejuvenating the region’s fisheries, ensuring not only the survival of tuna stocks but also the livelihoods of those who depend on them, contributing to a balanced marine ecosystem.
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