South Pacific Albacore – Annual Harvest Strategy Progress Summaries (2015–2026)

Path 5
Page updated: 27 Oct 2026

2026 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

First Joint WCPFC-IATTC Working Group (SPAJWG01)

  1. SPAJWG01 was held virtually on 18-19 March 2026. It prioritised overlap-area and notification issues, supported a South Pacific-wide 2027 stock assessment with alternative spatial structures as sensitivities, agreed to strengthen data exchange and scientific coordination, and identified a reference document, joint scientific research plan and indicative budget as intersessional priorities. The next meeting is planned for early 2027.

First South Pacific Albacore Allocation Workshop (SPAA01)

  1. SPAA01 was held in Wellington on 25-26 June 2026. It agreed on a fixed data baseline through 2024 and catch volume as the primary allocation metric. All coastal State and Participating Territory CCMs in the MP area supported a zone-based framework; several non-coastal State CCMs were willing to continue considering it, while the high-level split and apportionment remained unresolved. SPAA01 agreed that catch history could not be the sole criterion, identified broad support for transferability, flexibility and phased implementation, and referred relevant MCS matters to TCC.

SC22 and TCC22

  1. SC22 reviewed the first operational MP run and advised that the output is 56,096 mt annually for 2027-2029 for longline and troll fisheries south of 10°S, excluding the EEZs of Tokelau and Tuvalu. SC22 and TCC22 agreed that no modification to the South Pacific albacore monitoring strategy table was necessary at that time. TCC22 also considered implementation issues arising from SPAA01, including transferability, discard management and the relationship with broader Commission MCS processes.

Second South Pacific Albacore Allocation Workshop (SPAA02)

  1. SPAA02 was held virtually on 22 October 2026. While proportional shares remained unresolved, the Workshop recommended further development of a phased approach and recognised that an allocation framework is likely to require a hybrid approach between zone-based management and flag-based limits. It recommended that any catch limit for CNMs be considered through the annual consideration of CNM participatory rights; supported overcatch and undercatch flexibility of up to 20% of the applicable catch limit; and recommended further development of a graduated repayment approach for overcatch above that threshold. The Workshop requested the SPAA Chair, supported by the Secretariat, to prepare a revised allocation framework for WCPFC23 and recommended dedicated time, including through a small working group, to continue consideration of outstanding allocation issues at WCPFC23.

2025 South Pacific Albacore Summary (Reference)

SC21 Updates on South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure

  1. SC21 reviewed revised candidate MPs for South Pacific albacore, updated for the area south of 10°S with new HCRs and catch assumptions.
  2. Additional information was requested to assist SPAMWS01 and WCPFC22 discussions.
  3. Future MP revisions should be guided by Commission direction and supported through timely feedback on MSE development.
  4. Baseline catches outside MP control were set at 18,000 mt (EPO) and 9,000 mt (0–10°S); close monitoring and scenario testing were emphasized.
  5. All candidate MPs performed well, maintaining low risk of breaching the LRP.
  6. Three additional MPs will be developed to test varying catch and effort assumptions, with results to be presented at SPAMWS01 and WCPFC22. (SC21 Provisional Summary Report)

Joint WCPFC/IATTC Working Group for South Pacific Albacore

  1. WCPFC and IATTC agreed to form a Joint Working Group to manage South Pacific albacore, recognizing shared stock across both Convention Areas.
  2. Initiative builds on outcomes from WCPFC21 (2024) and IATTC’s 102nd Meeting.
  3. Two informal joint meetings (May & Aug 2025) finalized the Terms of Reference (TOR) and 2026 Workplan.
  4. SPAJWG will coordinate harvest strategies, scientific analyses, and data exchange between the two Commissions. (Co-Chairs' Summary Report 1 &Co-Chairs' Summary Report 2)

Updates on South Pacific Albacore Roadmap IWG

  1. SC21 was briefed by the Chair of the SPA Roadmap Intersessional Working Group (IWG).
  2. The briefing highlighted the importance of adopting a South Pacific albacore management procedure in 2025 to maintain progress toward a full harvest strategy.(SC21 Provisional Summary Report, Paragraphs 546-547)

South Pacific Albacore Management Workshops 

  1. The SPAMWS01  met in September to advance development of a management procedure (MP) and implementing arrangements for South Pacific albacore. SPC presented updated analyses of candidate MPs designed to maintain stock levels above the limit reference point with at least 80% probability while meeting potential target reference points. Participants discussed spatial scope (equator vs. 10°S), preferred harvest control rules (HCRs), and requests for additional SPC analyses before WCPFC22. The workshop also reviewed draft management arrangements emphasizing zone-based management, equitable allocation, and cooperation with IATTC. Members agreed to continue technical work and hold a follow-up workshop in November 2025 ahead of WCPFC22. (Chairs summary report) 
  2. The SPAMWS02 was held virtually in November. It reviewed the additional analyses requested at SPAMWS01, further narrowed the candidate harvest control rules and considered the FFA Members’ proposals for a South Pacific albacore MP and implementing measure. Key issues remained unresolved, including the geographic scope of the MP, assumptions for catches in the EPO, the proposed division between EEZ and high seas fishing opportunities, and elements of the monitoring and implementation arrangements.

WCPFC22 decisions and CMM 2025-01

  1. WCPFC22 adopted CMM 2025-01 on the interim South Pacific albacore MP, adopted the SPAJWG Terms of Reference and provisional 2026 workplan, adopted Terms of Reference for an allocation workshop, and agreed to progress the implementing measure during 2026.

2024 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

SPA Target Reference Point

  1. SC20 recommended the Commission note that the biomass depletion associated with the adopted iTRP has been re-estimated to be 50% based on the 2024 assessment, which was 47% based on the 2021 assessment. (SC20 Outcomes Document, Para. 105)
  2. SC20 recommended that both catch numbers and weight be used for projections. SC20 further recommended that SSP present trends in vulnerable biomass among specific WCPFC-CA longline fleets, and for WCPFC-CA catch levels to be related to 2017-2019 levels. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 107)
  3. SC20 recommended including more scenarios for projections by fixing EPO catch at 2017-2019 levels and using multiple catch levels in the WCPFC-CA related to 2017-2019 levels. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 108)

SPA Operating Model

  1. SC20 adopted the operating model (OM) reference set, together with the proposed robustness set (Table 2, SC20-MI-WP-04), for the evaluation of candidate SPALB MPs. (SC20 Outcomes Document para 109)
  2. SC20 recommended that future work to elaborate the OM sets be conducted through the monitoring strategy and could include:
    1. development of scenarios for the impacts of climate change 
    2. consideration of potential effects of effort creep and/or hyperstability in CPUE 
    3. development of models that address uncertainties around stock structure to the robustness set. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 110)
  3. SC20 recommended that simulations be conducted to explore the implications of assuming a single stock OM when there could be multiple stocks. If ongoing genetics work confirms the presence of multiple-stocks and the simulations indicate that the single-stock assumption made in the OMs is problematic, then exceptional circumstances should be considered and the OM sets should be revised to account for multiple reproductive stocks in the South Pacific. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 111)

SPA Management Procedure

  1. SC20 recommended that SSP focus primarily on the following two ASPM-derived estimators with a view to having a robust estimator, without obvious future data vulnerabilities: 
    1. A direct biomass depletion approach using mean SB/SBF=0 of the last three years; and
    2. A ratio approach that uses Mean SB/SBF=0 of the last three year (same as in 1.a) relative to 2017-2019. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 112)
  2. SC20 noted that there was bias in estimation model performance at low predicted stock sizes. SC20 recommended that this bias be addressed through the design of the HCR and its significance or otherwise will be evaluated through evaluation of candidate MPs. Should the estimation model bias become problematic in the MP design context, then steps will need to be taken to address that issue. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 113)
  3. SC20 recommended that SSP conduct a Management Strategy Evaluation of a range of candidate MPs, using updated estimators together with HCR and maximum change metarule specifications similar to those presented at SC19 (SC19-MI-WP-06). (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 114)
  4. SC20 recommended that SSP, in addition to running projections assuming a single baseline for all fisheries within the Management Procedure evaluations, explore the potential implications of using different reference periods for different fisheries and gears within the MP. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 115)
  5. SC20 recommended that EPO catches be assumed to remain constant at recent levels but with an exploration of a case where the EPO is subject to MP controls (in a similar way to SC20-MI-WP-03). (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 116)
  6. SC20 noted that it was desirable to constrain the number of candidate MPs evaluated for consideration and recommended that steps be taken to manage this, including using one-off variations from a base-case scenario, rather than a full factorial grid of options. (SC20 Outcomes Document, para 117-118).

Second Science Management Dialogue

  1. SMD-02 reviewed a summary of the 2024 SP-ALB stock assessment before the SSP presented WCPFC-SMD02-2024-BP-01 and noted the recent high catches of South Pacific albacore in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. SMD02 generally supported maintaining the use of both weights and numbers in the South Pacific albacore catch-based projections.
  2. SMD02 supported maintaining all the current performance indicators noting that those focused on vulnerable biomass and catch stability are critical for South Pacific albacore fisheries.
  3. SMD-02 supported a 3-year frequency for running the South Pacific albacore management procedure (MP), which is in line with the current skipjack MP, the South Pacific albacore assessment schedule, and the biology of South Pacific albacore, and which balances responsiveness to stock status changes and stability for fishery operations.
  4. SMD02 supported the removal of candidate MPs that use an absolute estimator, and MPs using Harvest Control Rule (HCR) 4, from the set of candidate MPs provided in WCPFC-SMD02-2024-BP-02.
  5. The SPALB-RM-05 met in October to advance work on the South Pacific albacore harvest strategy, allocation framework, and new CMM development. (Chairs summary report) 

WCPFC21

  1. The Commission noted the importance and need for a dedicated south Pacific albacore management workshop (SPAM-WS) to expedite the progress of implementation on the Indicative Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies under CMM 2022-03.   
  2. The Commission agreed to hold south Pacific albacore management workshops in 2025 focused on:   
  • South Pacific albacore management procedures. 
  • South Pacific albacore management arrangement for implementing the management procedure. 
  • Mixed fishery issues including ensuring compatibility between the bigeye and South Pacific Albacore management procedures. 
  1. The Commission agreed that CCMs will cooperate to develop a management procedure and implementing measure for south Pacific albacore during 2025, with a view to adopt both a management procedure and its implementing measure at WCPFC22, that will replace CMM 2015-02. (WCPFC21 Outcomes document, para 38-42))
  2. The Commission agreed in principle to the establishment of a JWG for SP Albacore and endorses the framework in WCPFC21-2024-DP14b as a guide for progressing the development.
  3. The Commission requested the WCPFC Chair to engage with the IATTC Chair in early 2025 on the establishment of a JWG for SP Albacore, with the objective of establishing an informal initial meeting of the JWG in the first half of 2025 and adopting the Terms of Reference by WCPFC22 in 2025.   (WCPFC21 Outcomes document, para 81-84)

2023 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The SPALB-RM-04 met to discuss updated analyses on management objectives, the interim Target Reference Point (iTRP), and the harvest strategy for South Pacific albacore. (Chairs summary report)  

SPA ITRP

  1. The Commission agreed on an interim target reference point (iTRP) for south Pacific albacore specified as four percent below the estimated average spawning potential depletion of the stock over the period 2017-2019 (0.96 SB₍2017–2019₎/SBF₌₀). This supersedes an earlier decision of the Commission made at WCPFC 15. (WCPFC20 Summary Report , para. 238)
  2. The Commission shall amend or develop appropriate conservation and management measures to implement a management procedure, developed in accordance with CMM 2022-03, with the ultimate objective of maintaining the south Pacific albacore stock at the interim target reference point, on average. (WCPFC20 Summary Report para. 239)
  3. The iTRP for SPALB shall be subject for review following the 2024 stock assessment and further development of candidate MPs. Subsequent to this review, the confirmed or amended iTRP will again be adopted by the Commission within a Conservation and Management Measure that specifies a management procedure for South Pacific albacore tuna. (WCPFC20 Summary Report  para. 241)
  4. The Commission tasked the SSP to undertake:
  • evaluations of some selected candidate Management Procedures for South Pacific albacore where the output of the HCR is total allowable effort and alternatively where the output of the same or similar HCR is total allowable catch;
  • evaluation of a range of alternative candidate South Pacific   albacore target reference points   between SB/SBF=00.42–0.56 (long-term   avg  SB/SBF=0(WCPF-CA), or preferably equivalent levels defined in terms of a reference  period.) that will be considered in the context of the review of the adopted iTRP (WCPFC20 Summary Report  Para. 242)
  1. The Commission agreed to hold a Science-Management Dialogue in 2024 (SMD-02) focused on, among other issues, the South Pacific albacore management procedures (including review of the iTRP) (WCPFC20 Outcomes document, para 36)

SPALB Management Procedure

  1. Agreed to hold a Science-Management Dialogue in 2024 (SMD-02) focused on:

  • South Pacific albacore MPs (including review of the iTRP);

  • Development of BET and YFT TRPs;

  • Issues pertaining to the application of the SKJ management procedure, and

  • Harvest strategy capacity-building for CCMs (SPC-facilitated). (WCPFC20 Summary Report Para. 264)

  1. Noted the importance of applying compatible measures between WCPFC and IATTC, the Commission tasked the Secretariat to strengthen its relations with the IATTC in the development of the MSE and MPs for South Pacific albacore. (WCPFC20 Summary Report Para. 268-270)

Mixed Fishery MSE

  1. The Commission noted the progress to date on the development of the mixed fishery MSE framework. (WCPFC20 Summary Report , para 337)

2022 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The SPALB-RM-03 met to progress work on the iTRP, management procedures, and the development of a new CMM for South Pacific albacore (Chairs summary report)

  • The Commission noted South Pacific albacore objectives and the TRP. (WCPFC19 Summary Report, para 212; WCPFC19-2022-15 (Further analyses to inform discussions on South Pacific albacore objectives and the TRP)

  1. The Commission noted the additional work tasked by SMD01 to support decision-making on MPs for South Pacific albacore (WCPFC19-2022-16). (WCPFC19 Summary Report, para 222; WCPFC19-2022-16 (Updates on MP evaluations for south Pacific albacore since SMD01)
  2. The Commission adopted CMM 2022-03 CMM on Establishing a Harvest Strategy for key fisheries and stocks in the WCPO. (WCPFC19 Summary Report, para 270)
  3. The Commission adopted the updated Indicative Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies under CMM 2014-06. (WCPFC19 Summary Report, para 277; Att. L)
  4. The Commission adopted the terms of reference and work plan for the SPA Roadmap-IWG (WCPFC19-2022-SPALB_RM) (WCPFC19 Summary Report, para 228; Att. I)
  5. First Science Management Dialogue held in August 2022. (SMD01 Outcomes Document: WCPFC19-2022-SMD01-01)

2021 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The SPALB-RM-02 reviewed SPC analyses on catch trajectories and management options to achieve the interim Target Reference Point. While no consensus was reached, members agreed to continue developing a new, comprehensive CMM and to strengthen monitoring systems. (Chairs summary report)
  2. The Commission noted the advice related to a recalibration of the interim TRP for the SP albacore. (WCPFC18 Summary Report, para 171)
  3. The Commission noted the priorities for the SP albacore Roadmap WG for 2022, in particular the development of harvest strategies for SPA, the setting of a TAC and allocation, and encouraged CCMs to continue to work cooperatively in the IWG. (WCPFC18 Summary Report, para 184)
  4. The Commission adopted the updated Indicative Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies under CMM 2014-06. (WCPFC18 Summary Report, para 256; Att. I)
  5. The Commission agreed to have the first Science-Management Dialogue, on a trial basis, back-to-back with SC18 in 2022, with a list of proposed areas of focus. (WCPFC18 Summary Report, para 271-272)
  6. The Commission agreed that until a new CMM for South Pacific Albacore is adopted, each CCM is encouraged to take steps to implement interim controls on South Pacific albacore catch or effort across the convention area south of the equator.
  • CCMs are encouraged to limit commercial fishing of South Pacific albacore within EEZs to domestically applied catch or effort limits in recent years. 
  • Each CCM is encouraged to ensure that its flagged vessels fishing for this species shall not exceed the high seas catch or effort (such as number of vessels) of South Pacific albacore by its flagged vessels in recent years.  (WCPFC18 Summary Report, para 195-199)

2020 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The SPALB-RM-01 reviewed SPC analyses on catch and effort pathways to reach the iTRP, discuss reference periods, and consider updates to CMM 2015-02. (Chairs summary report)
  2. The Commission noted the report of progress from the SP Albacore Roadmap Working Group (WCPFC17-2020-SPALB-Roadmap-IWG). (WCPFC17 Summary Report, Para 224)
  3. The Commission noted that the review of CMM 2015-02 Conservation and Management Measure for South Pacific Albacore is ongoing as part of the work of the SP Albacore Roadmap Working Group. (WCPFC17 Summary Report, Para 228)

*  The SSP has made substantial technical progress during 2020, notably on MSE for South Pacific albacore and skipjack.

2019 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The Commission noted the progress on the development of performance indicators, of harvest control rules and management strategy evaluation for South Pacific Albacore. (WCPFC16 Summary Report, para 392, 403) 
  2. The Commission agreed there is no need to review the Management Objectives on an annual basis. WCPFC16 Summary Report, para 170)
  3. The Commission agreed to progress work on a multispecies approach and to report back to the Commission. (WCPFC16 Summary Report, para 195)
  4. Adopted the Updated Indicative Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies. (WCPFC16 Summary Report, Att. H)
  5. The Commission agreed to reinvigorate the South Pacific Albacore Roadmap Working Group in 2020 under the leadership of Fiji and for it to continue to work intersessionally to develop the Roadmap for Effective Conservation and Management of South Pacific Albacore. (WCPFC16 Summary Report para 390)

2018 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The Commission adopted the Updated Workplan for the Adoption of Harvest Strategies under CMM 2014-06. (WCPFC15 Summary Report, Att. I)
  2. The Commission agreed on an interim TRP for South Pacific albacore at 0.56SBF=0 with the objective of achieving an 8% increase in CPUE for the southern longline fishery as compared to 2013 levels. The TRP shall be reviewed every 3 years, consistent with the SP albacore assessment schedule, and the timeline for achieving the interim TRP shall be no later than 20 years. (WCPFC15 Summary Report, paras 207-212)
  3. The Commission agreed to task the SPA-VIWG, chaired by New Zealand, to continue work intersessionally to develop the Roadmap for Effective Conservation and Management of South Pacific Albacore. (WCPFC15 Summary Report, para 182)

2017 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. An Intersessional Meeting to progress the draft Bridging CMM on South Pacific Albacore took place, focusing on progress assessing the scientific and economic status of the SPA fishery, defining management objectives, and advancing a draft bridging CMM under the WCPFC harvest strategy framework. (Meeting Summary Report)
  2. The Commission noted candidate performance indicators for the Southern Longline Fishery and the Tropical Longline fishery to evaluate harvest control rules. (WCPFC14 Summary Report Attachment K, Table 1 and 2)
  3. The Commission agreed on actions to prioritise the development and adoption of a Target Reference Point for south Pacific albacore at WCPFC15. (WCPFC14 Summary Report, para 188)
  4. The Commission agreed to the formation of a virtual intersessional process to develop a Roadmap to implement the elements needed for the effective conservation and management for south Pacific albacore. (WCPFC14 Summary Report, para 264-266)

2016 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The Commission agreed to determine the acceptability of potential HCRs where the estimated risk of breaching the LRP is between 0 and 20%. (WCPFC13 Summary Report, Para 296). 
  2. The Commission agreed to a refined workplan for the adoption of harvest strategies under CMM 2014-06 (WCPFC13 Summary Report, Att. N.)

2015 South Pacific Albacore Progress Summary (Reference)

  1. The Commission agreed to harvest strategy workplan for the adoption of harvest strategies under CMM 2014-06 (WCPFC12 Summary Report, Att. Y)