Pacific fishing commission adopts new conservation rules to protect albacore tuna and seabirds

A major breakthrough for ocean conservation emerged from the Philippines this week as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) adopted new science-based rules to protect South Pacific albacore tuna stocks. The decision came during the commission’s annual meeting in Manila, marking a significant step toward sustainable management of one of the world’s most important commercial fish species.

The WCPFC, which governs fishing across nearly 20% of the planet’s surface, established a comprehensive harvest strategy for South Pacific albacore—the primary source of canned tuna found on grocery shelves worldwide. These harvest strategies represent the gold standard in fisheries management, automatically adjusting catch limits based on scientific assessments of fish populations rather than political or commercial pressures. The southwestern Pacific Ocean produces much of the global albacore catch, making these new protections crucial for long-term sustainability.

“This is a great move for the WCPFC,” said Dave Gershman, a senior international fisheries officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts, who attended the Manila meeting. “This is a critical step to ensure the sustainability and stability of the top Pacific albacore fisheries.” Gershman noted the harvest strategy had been “discussed for many, many years,” highlighting the significance of finally reaching agreement among the commission’s member nations.

While the commission made progress on tuna conservation, discussions on regulating transshipment—the controversial practice of transferring fish between vessels at sea—remained unresolved. This ship-to-ship transfer method has been linked to illegal fishing operations and other illicit maritime activities, leaving environmental advocates hoping for stronger action at future meetings.