WHAT WE DO
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
Support WCPFC members to maintain rights and fish stocks
We support our members to work with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to:
- establish and maintain their rights in these fisheries
- ensure that highly migratory fish and bycatch species are maintained enough for fully sustainable Pacific Island fisheries development.
Our advisors prepare briefings with national and regional science and statistics so our members can effectively take part in WCPFC work.
They also work with members to develop management frameworks that:
- ensure tuna resources are sustainably harvested based on regional and internationally agreed harvest strategies
- help implement regional and international fisheries policies
- comply with agreed regional and international obligations.
Advisors are responsible for establishing and maintaining good relationships between sub-regional, regional and international bodies, especially between our members and WCPFC.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is the central decision-making body for management of tuna fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The Western and Central Pacific Ocean accounted for 54% of the world’s tuna catch in 2020.
WCPFC members include FFA members (17) and distant water fishing nations (15): Australia, China, Canada, Cook Islands, European Community, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Chinese Taipei, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America and Vanuatu.