South Pacific albacore tops agenda at WCPFC22 as Pacific Ministers show solidarity
South Pacific albacore is the leading priority of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) as the 22nd Regular Session opened today in Manila, Philippines.
In her opening address, WCPFC Chair Dr Josie Tamate placed the proposed adoption of a Management Procedure for South Pacific albacore at the centre of the Commission’s work for the week.
WCPFC Chair Dr Josie Tamate speaking at a press conference following the opening of the WCPFC22 in Manila on Monday. Photo: FFA
“My top priority for this week’s meeting is the adoption of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure,” Dr Tamate told delegates. “Agreement on the SPA Management Procedure would demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to harvest strategies and the management of an economically important fishery.”
Dr Tamate said the Commission is in its strongest position to conclude this work, following a year of technical progress through intersessional working groups and Subsidiary Body meetings.
“Whilst it has taken us a bit longer to get to where we are today, I believe we are in the best possible position now,” she said. “The work done throughout the year has laid the groundwork for the successful conclusion of a SPA Management Procedure this year.”
The opening session was also marked by a strong show of Pacific Ministerial support for FFA Members’ priorities, with leaders linking South Pacific albacore to broader concerns of sustainability, equity and economic resilience.
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Jelta Wong, reaffirmed the importance of Article 30 of the WCPFC Convention and its protections for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Papua New Guinea Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Jelta Wong, addresses the WCPFC delegation during the opening session. Photo: FFA
“Article 30 of the WCPF Convention legally requires the Commission to ensure that conservation and management measures do not impose disproportionate burdens on Small Island Developing States, while affirming our right to pursue fisheries development in ways that generate value for our people,” Minister Wong said.
“This is not merely a footnote in our Convention; it is its foundation. It is the moral compass that guides our collective decisions.”
From the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Minister for Natural Resources and Commerce Hon. Anthony Muller called for urgent progress on strengthening transshipment controls alongside advancement of the albacore agenda.
Republic of Marshall Islands Minister for Natural Resources & Commerce, Hon. Anthony Muller provided remarks on transshipment and solidary toward FFA’s proposal at the opening of the WCPFC22 meeting. Photo: FFA
“Transshipment remains one of the most critical compliance and governance challenges for both coastal States and the Commission as a whole,” he said, highlighting continued vulnerabilities associated with high seas transshipment.
Minister Muller also underscored the importance of a strong Management Procedure for South Pacific albacore.
“This fishery is a lifeline for many Pacific Island economies. Yet domestic longline fleets are already operating on narrow margins and continue to face declining profitability and growing uncertainty,” he said, urging Members to adopt a precautionary and science-based approach that reflects the development needs of Pacific States.
Tuvalu’s Minister for Natural Resources Development, Hon. Sa’aga Talu, expressed solidarity with FFA Members on South Pacific albacore while highlighting the importance of purse seine fisheries for national revenue.
Tuvalu Minister for Natural Resources Development, Hon. Sa’aga Talu, was among Pacific Fisheries Ministers who showed their support and solidarity of FFA Members at the Commission in Manila. Photo: FFA
He noted that more than half of Tuvalu’s government income depends on the purse seine fishery, and called for continued progress on strengthening measures related to Fish Aggregating Devices and fisheries monitoring.
WCPFC22 is jointly hosted by the Governments of the Philippines and Canada and runs this week until 5 December 2025.
MANILA, 02 DECEMBER 2025
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