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