What is a Harvest Strategy?
Think of a savings account with interest. You withdraw at a steady rate so the balance stays strong. A harvest strategy applies the same logic to fish stocks so fishing today does not undermine tomorrow’s supply.
Why Harvest Strategies?
- Protect Fish Populations: Keep stocks at safe levels that support reproduction and long-term productivity.
- Support Fishing Communities: Maintain steady fishing opportunities and reduce boom-bust cycles.
- Economic Stability: Provide predictable catch or effort limits for business planning.
- Ocean Health: Reduce the risk of depleting one species and harming the wider ecosystem.
The WCPFC committed in 2014 to develop harvest strategies for priority tuna stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Conservation and Management Measures
Pacific Bluefin Tuna: See HS 2023-02 and current rebuilding actions.
North Pacific Albacore: See HS 2023-01.
Skipjack: Managed under CMM 2022-01 with a full management procedure.
Scientists track performance of the skipjack management procedure using a detailed monitoring strategy adopted in 2024.
Understanding the Science: How Harvest Strategies Work
The Building Blocks
Every harvest strategy has several components that work together.
| Target Reference Points | The desired stock level that provides stable yield and low risk. |
| Limit Reference Points | A safety floor for stock size that triggers urgent action if approached. |
| Management Procedures | Rules that link observed stock indicators to catch or effort limits. |
| Monitoring | Regular checks and reviews to confirm the strategy performs as intended. |
Species-by-Species Progress
Skipjack Tuna: Complete
Key Features:
- Management Strategy Evaluation: Thousands of simulations tested candidate rules before adoption.
- Performance Indicators: Risk of breaching limits, average catch, catch variability, and stock status.
- Scheduled Reviews: Triennial checks with a formal monitoring strategy adopted in 2024.
- Multi-fleet Design: Considers purse seine, pole-and-line, and other fisheries together.
Background:
South Pacific Albacore: In Development
Current Status: Interim target set. Full management procedure in preparation.
Work Underway:
- MSE Operating Models: Account for life history and wide spatial range.
- CPUE Indicators: Use standardized catch-per-unit-effort in candidate rules.
- Cross-Boundary Catches: Consider interactions with adjacent areas.
Recent Developments:
- Interim target confirmed, with review following the 2024 stock assessment.
- See details in WCPFC21-2024-29.
- Dedicated workshop scheduled in 2025 with a work plan for 2025-2026.
Interactive Tool: Explore options with SPAMPLE.
Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna: Planning Phase
The Challenge: These species are often caught with skipjack, so rules must work for a mixed fishery.
Current Focus:
- Candidate Bigeye Targets: 32 percent, 34 percent, and 36 percent of unfished level for testing.
- HCR Development: Link longline catch and purse seine effort controls to stock indicators.
- Mixed-Fishery Testing: Evaluate cross-effects so one species’ rule does not undermine another.
Technical Reference: Mixed fishery modeling described in SC17-MI-WP-05.
Northern Pacific Species
North Pacific Albacore: Complete
The Commission adopted HS 2023-01 in December 2023. The strategy includes reference points and a decision rule.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna: Complete
The Commission adopted HS 2023-02 at WCPFC20. A joint WCPFC-IATTC working group met in February 2025 to advance MSE work.
North Pacific Swordfish: Complete
The Commission accepted HS 2016-01 in 2019. Current measures appear in CMM 2023-03.
North Pacific Striped Marlin: Rebuilding Plan
WCPFC21 adopted CMM 2024-06 to rebuild the stock with time-bound targets and strict catch controls.
How Science and Management Work Together
Science-Management Dialogue
In 2022, WCPFC held its first Science-Management Dialogue. Outcomes included narrowing skipjack rule options, requests for targeted analyses, and a plan to build capacity among decision-makers.
These Meetings Deliver:
- Plain-language results and trade-offs.
- Clear management objectives and constraints.
- Agreed technical settings for candidate rules.
- Faster iteration between science and policy.
Building Understanding: Education and Training
Interactive Learning Tools at SPC
- SPAMPLE: Test albacore settings.
- Hierophant: View model diagnostics.
Training Programs
- Online course: SPC learning platform.
- Workshops: Over 260 participants across 17 sessions.
- Professional exchanges: One-year placements at SPC for Pacific fisheries professionals.
- Communication materials: Posters, leaflets, and an introductory video.
Capacity Building Seminars
Before major decisions, WCPFC runs seminars to prepare participants. Two seminars in 2022 supported SMD01 with around 92 attendees.
Stay Connected
For technical questions or training opportunities, contact: fame-harvest-strategies@spc.int
Safety Limits: Protecting Fish Populations
Understanding Limit Reference Points
The Three-Level Approach: Method varies by data quality.
| Level | When Used | Safety Limits Used |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | High information on biology and stock productivity | Benchmarks like FMSY and BMSY |
| Level 2 | Good knowledge of biology and fisheries Used for: bigeye, yellowfin, South Pacific albacore | 20 percent of unfished spawning biomass or similar |
| Level 3 | Data-limited or high environmental variability Used for: skipjack | 20 percent of estimated recent unfished biomass |
Acceptable Risk Levels
Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Historical Workshops and Development
Four workshops between 2012 and 2015 shaped today’s framework.
- MOW1 (2012): Initial objectives workshop in Manila.
- MOW2 (2013): Objectives and indicators in Cairns.
- MOW3 (2014): Commitment to harvest strategy in Apia.
- MOW4/HSW (2015): Technical review and next steps in Bali.
Learning Resources
Introductory guides on key concepts:
- AMPED-01: Introduction to Harvest Control Rules
- AMPED-02: Introduction to Performance Indicators
- AMPED-03: Comparing Harvest Control Rule Performance
Looking Forward: Future Plans
Upcoming Priorities
- Bigeye Management: Decide the target and adopt a tested management procedure.
- South Pacific Albacore: Finalize and adopt the management procedure following the 2025 workshop.
- Mixed Fishery Integration: Align skipjack, bigeye, and yellowfin strategies so rules work together.
- Climate Considerations: Test and adapt strategies for changing productivity and distributions.
- Monitoring Improvements: Strengthen data, standardization, and review schedules.
Key Documents and Resources
Essential Reading
Foundation Documents:
- CMM 2014-06: Original harvest strategy framework.
- CMM 2022-03: Updated framework and work plan.
- CMM 2022-01: Skipjack management procedure.
Current Harvest Strategies:
- HS 2023-01: North Pacific Albacore.
- HS 2023-02: Pacific Bluefin Tuna.
- HS 2016-01: North Pacific Swordfish.
Work Plans and Progress:
- WCPFC20 Att 4: Indicative work plan.
- WCPFC21 Att. 16: Updated schedule and tasks.