The Western and Central Pacific Tuna Fishery 2020: Overview and Status of Stocks

Tuna fisheries assessment reports provide current information on the tuna fisheries of the western and
central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) and the fish stocks (mainly tuna) that are impacted by them. The
information provided in this report is summary in nature, but a list of references (mostly accessible via
the internet) is included for those seeking further details. This report is a smart PDF so if you click on a
reference within the document it will take you to the figure/section; to return to the page you were on,
press alt and the left arrow key.
This report focuses on the primary tuna stocks targeted by the main WCPO industrial fisheries { skipjack
(Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bigeye (T. obesus) and South Pacific albacore tuna
(T. alalunga).

The report is divided into three parts: the first section provides an overview of the fishery, with emphasis
on developments over the past few years; the second summarises the most recent information on the
status of the stocks; and the third summarises information concerning the interaction between the tuna
fisheries, other associated and dependent species and their environment. The data used in compiling
the report are those which were available to the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) at the time of
publication, and are subject to change as improvements continue to be made to recent and historical
catch statistics from the region. The fisheries statistics presented will usually be complete through the
end of the year prior to publication. However, some minor revisions to statistics occasionally may be
made for recent years. The stock assessment information presented is the most recent available at the
time of publication.

Inquiries regarding this report or other aspects of the work programme of the OFP should be directed to:
Deputy Director FAME (Oceanic Fisheries)
Pacific Community (SPC)
BP D5
98848 Noumea Cedex
New Caledonia