22nd Regular Session of the Commission: Full Annotated Agenda

  • 1. Opening of Meeting
    • 1.1 Adoption of Agenda

      Commission Chair, Dr. Josie M. Tamate (Niue) will call the meeting to order and invite the Commission to adopt the Provisional Agenda.  

      The Commission may discuss and confirm the establishment of small working groups to progress work on certain agenda items throughout the week.   

    • 1.2 Meeting Logistics and Arrangements

      The Secretariat will share information on relevant meeting arrangements to support WCPFC22, including registration, audio/visual facilities, morning and afternoon tea breaks, lunches, and side events scheduled during the week.

  • 2. Statements by Members and Participating Territories

    Delegations may present opening statements or submit statements in writing for the record.

  • 3. 2025 Annual Report of the Executive Director

    The Executive Director will present her Annual Report on 2025 Activities of the Commission. The report will outline the work of the Commission in 2025, including Secretariat activities in support of the Commission. The Commission will be invited to consider the ED’s Annual Report.

    Rule 13 of the WCPFC Rules of the Procedure states that “the Executive Director shall make an annual report, and such supplementary reports as are necessary, to the Commission at its regular session on the work of the Commission.” 

  • 4. Introduction of New Proposals

    CCM delegations will be invited to present new proposals for consideration by the Commission at WCPFC22. 

    The Commission will consider how to progress discussions on new proposals for decision making at WCPFC22 and/or future taskings, which may include the establishment of small working groups to meet during WCPFC22, or further discussion under the relevant WCPFC22 agenda item, or a combination of both approaches.

    CCMs with new proposals or amendments to existing proposals are required to complete an Audit Points Checklist and a CMM 2013-06 Evaluation.

  • 5. Implementation of Article 30 of the WCPF Convention and CMM 2013-07 (Special Requirements of Developing States)

    The Commission will consider its implementation of Article 30 on the Special Requirements of Developing States.

    Discussions relating to implementation of CMM 2013-06 (with links to CMM 2013-07) will be taken up through Agenda Item 8.3 on the TCC21 Summary Report and Agenda Item 13 on Compliance Monitoring.

    • 5.1 2025 Strategic Investment Plan

      The Secretariat will present a report on the implementation of the Strategic Investment Plan in 2025 and the updated Strategic Investment Plan for consideration by the Commission.

    • 5.2 West Pacific East Asia Project

      The Secretariat and WPEA-ITM SPF Project Coordinator will present an update of the project activities in 2025, including the project status and expected activities in 2026. 

  • 6. Membership, Observers, and Cooperating Non-Members
    • 6.1 Status of the Convention

      The Government of New Zealand, as the Depositary of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention, will report on the status of the Convention (to be taken as read). 

    • 6.2 Update on Observer status

      An updated list of organizations and States with current observer status to the WCPFC is maintained on the WCPFC website.   

    • 6.3 Applications for 2026 Cooperating Non-Member Status

      The Commission will review TCC21’s recommendations with respect to applications for Cooperating Non-Member Status and determine which applicants will have CNM status for 2026. 

      • 6.3.1 Participatory rights of CNMs

        Following the Commission’s past practice in reviewing applications for CNM status, a small working group will be established to consider the participatory rights of each CNM for 2026.  

  • 7. Status of Stocks

    The Commission’s Scientific Services Provider (SSP), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) will provide presentations on the status of fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). This is an annual presentation to the Commission that covers the state of the region’s fisheries resources based on the best available data.  

  • 8. Reports from Subsidiary Bodies
    • 8.1 21st Regular Session of the Northern Committee (NC21)

      The Northern Committee Chair, Masa Miyahara (Japan), will report the outcomes and recommendations from the 21st Northern Committee that took place on 14-15 July 2025 in Toyama City, Japan. 

      The northern stocks covered by the Northern Committee Report are Pacific bluefin tuna, North Pacific albacore tuna, and North Pacific swordfish. Any NC21 outcomes requiring further discussion by the Commission at WCPFC22 will be taken up under the relevant agenda item, or under this agenda item.

      Click HERE for the NC21 Summary Report.

    • 8.2 21st Regular Session of the Scientific Committee (SC21)

      The Scientific Committee Chair, Emily Crigler (USA), will report the outcomes and recommendations from the 21st Scientific Committee that took place from 13-21 August 2025 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

      Any SC21 outcomes requiring further discussion by the Commission at WCPFC22 will be taken up under the relevant agenda item, or under this agenda item.

      Click HERE for the SC21 Outcomes Document.

    • 8.3 21st Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC21)

      The Technical and Compliance Committee Chair, Mat Kertesz (Australia), will report the outcomes and recommendations from the 21st Technical and Compliance Committee that took place from 23-30 September 2025 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.

      Any TCC21 outcomes requiring further discussion by the Commission at WCPFC22 will be taken up under the relevant agenda item, or under this agenda item.

      Click HERE for the TCC21 Provisional Meeting Outcomes and Attachments.

  • 9. Reports from Intersessional Working Groups and Processes

    Chairs of intersessional working groups (IWGs) and other intersessional processes will be invited to present updates on 2025 progress. Any recommendations from the intersessional activities that require discussion for adoption by the Commission at WCPFC22 will be taken up under the relevant agenda item. For any intersessional outcomes that do not fit under a relevant agenda item and may require further discussion, the Commission will determine the best approach to progress issues for adoption at WCPFC22. 

    • 9.1 FAD Management Options IWG

      The Chair of the FAD Management Options Intersessional Working Group (FADMO IWG), Jamel James (FSM), will report on the FADMO IWG’s work in 2025. 

      The Commission will also consider the FADMO IWG workplan for 2026 and decide on any necessary adjustments, including any outcomes and recommendations from the subsidiary bodies or future taskings agreed to at WCPFC22. 

    • 9.2 Regional Observer Programme IWG

      The Chair of the Regional Observer Programme Intersessional Working Group (ROP-IWG), Lucas Tarapik (PNG), will report on the ROP-IWG’s work in 2025.

      The Commission will consider the ROP-IWG workplan for 2026 and decide on any necessary adjustments, including any recommendations from the subsidiary bodies.

    • 9.3 ER and EM IWG

      The Interim Chair of the Electronic Reporting and Electronic Monitoring Intersessional Working Group (ER&EM IWG), Lesley Hawn (USA), will report on the ER&EM IWG’s work in 2025. 

      The ER&EM IWG Workplan does not schedule any decisions to be taken by the Commission in 2025. The Commission may consider whether to progress the ER&EM IWG’s work at WCPFC22.

      The Commission will consider the ER&EM WG workplan for 2026 and decide on any necessary adjustments, including any recommendations from the subsidiary bodies. 

    • 9.4 South Pacific Albacore Roadmap IWG

      The South Pacific Albacore Roadmap IWG did not meet in 2025. The Commission’s decision at WCPFC21 (2024) to convene South Pacific Albacore Management workshops in 2025 is reflected in the IWG’s 2025 workplan. Reports from the South Pacific Albacore Management workshops convened in 2025 will be taken up under Agenda Item 11.1.2.  

      The Commission may wish to consider any required adjustments to the IWG’s 2026 workplan, pending outcomes of discussions under Agenda Item 11.1 at WCPFC22.

    • 9.5 High Seas Boarding and Inspection – Development of Voluntary Guidelines

      TCC21 considered the outcomes of the intersessional work to develop HSBI voluntary guides and made a recommendation to the Commission to adopt the voluntary guides at WCPFC22. 

      The Chair of the intersessional process to develop voluntary guides for the WCPFC High Seas Boarding and Inspection (HSBI) Scheme, David Power (Australia), will provide additional information, as necessary, on the intersessional work undertaken in 2025.

    • 9.6 Port State Measures – Review of CMM 2017-02

      The Chair of the intersessional process to review CMM 2017-02 on port State measures, Meli Raicebe (Fiji), will report on outcomes of the intersessional review in 2025.

      Based on the port State measures workplan for 2025, the Commission may consider whether to progress discussions at WCPFC22. 

      The Commission may also consider continuation of intersessional work to review CMM 2017-02 in 2026.

    • 9.7 Review of other CMMs for decision making in 2026
      • 9.7.1 Marine Pollution

        At WCPFC21, the Commission requested interested CCMs to work on the marine pollution issue in 2025 and 2026 in light of WCPFC-2024-DP04_Rev01 and develop a proposal to amend CMM 2017-04 for submission to TCC22 in 2026 with a view to adopting a measure by WCPFC23. 

        Canada requested that interested CCMs participate in intersessional work on this issue. Felicia Cull (Canada) led this work in 2025 and will provide an update to the Commission on intersessional progress (see paras 604 and 605 of WCPFC21 Summary Report). 

  • 10. Incorporating Climate Change Considerations into Management and Conservation of WCPO Fisheries and Ecosystems

    The Commission’s Scientific Services Provider, (SPC), will make a presentation on “Ecosystem and Climate Indicators” to share the best available scientific data on potential impacts from climate change on WCPFC fisheries and related ecosystems.  

    At WCPFC21, the Commission adopted a Terms of Reference to guide a consultancy on a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in 2025 (see Attachment 14 of the WCPFC21 Summary Report). The consultants will present the outcomes of their work for consideration by the Commission.

    The Commission will also consider the activities of its subsidiary bodies in 2025 to incorporate climate change into its mandate and review its 2026 workplan to ensure climate change considerations are adequately reflected in the Commission’s work and determine whether any adjustments are required.

    At WCPFC20, the Commission tasked the Secretariat with continuing to provide a brief that summarises updates on international and regional fishery bodies (RFB) developments (see para 22 of WCPFC20 Summary Report). This brief will be provided under Agenda Item 16 on Cooperation with Other Organizations and International Ocean Governance Issues.

    Note: WCPFC19 took a decision to “…include Climate Change as a standing agenda item and to prioritize discussion of how best to incorporate climate change information and analyses in its work, as well as the work of TCC and the NC.” (para 343 of WCPFC19 Summary Report).  

  • 11. Conservation and Management of Tunas and Billfish, Including Development of Harvest Strategies

    The Commission will review its conservation and management framework for tunas and billfish in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). In addition to reviewing current conservation and management measures (CMMs), the Commission will also progress its work on the development of harvest strategies for South Pacific albacore tuna, skipjack tuna, bigeye tuna, and yellowfin tuna. 

    The Commission will also review updates on its management framework for Southwest Pacific swordfish. Review of measures for Southwest Pacific striped marlin, North Pacific striped marlin, and North Pacific swordfish will be covered under the reports from NC21 and/or SC21. 

    SC21 continued discussions on challenges faced by the SSP relating to the delivery of requested stock assessments, analyses, and advice in sufficient time to allow CCMs’ peer review prior to the start of the SC meeting each year. The Commission will consider a paper by the Secretariat and the SSP, as requested by SC21, and identify potential solutions to resolve the ongoing challenges.  

    • 11.1 South Pacific albacore tuna

      The Commission will consider information and updates relating to its management of the South Pacific Albacore Fishery. Substantive discussions relating to management of South Pacific albacore will take place under 11.1.1 to 11.1.4.

      • 11.1.1 Establishment of the WCPFC-IATTC Joint Working Group on South Pacific albacore tuna management (SPA-JWG)

        The Commission agreed in principle to the establishment of a JWG for SP Albacore between the IATTC and WCPFC and requested the WCPFC Chair to engage with the IATTC Chair in 2025 toward this end. Two informal, virtual sessions between IATTC and WCPFC were convened in 2025 to review JWG terms of reference and a 2026 workplan. At its 103rd annual session, the IATTC adopted the JWG terms of reference and 2026 workplan. 

        The Commission will consider the JWG terms of reference and 2026 workplan for adoption at WCPFC22 (see paras 735 to 738 of WCPFC21 Summary Report).

      • 11.1.2 Report on the South Pacific Albacore Management Workshop

        The SPAM-WS convened one online workshop on 11-12 September 2025 and (will convene) another online workshop on 5 November 2025, co-Chaired by the SC Chair (Emily Crigler – USA) and the SPA Roadmap IWG Chair (Moses Mataika – Fiji). The co-Chairs will provide a report on workshop outcomes to the Commission, which will be used to inform discussions on agenda items 11.1.3 and 11.1.4. 

        The SSP may also be invited to present additional information to support discussions under agenda items 11.1.3 and 11.1.4.

        The SPAM-WS01 Co-Chairs' Summary Report can be found HERE.

      • 11.1.3 Adoption of Management Procedure (MP)

        WCPFC21 agreed that CCMs will cooperate to develop a management procedure and an implementing measure for SP-ALB during 2025, with a view to adopting both a management procedure and its implementing measure at WCPFC22, that will replace CMM 2015-02(see para 716 of WCPFC21 Summary Report).

        The Commission may wish to consider establishing a small working group to advance discussions during WCPFC22, noting the close linkage to discussions under Agenda Item 11.1.4. 

      • 11.1.4 Adoption of Implementation Arrangements for the MP

        WCPFC21 agreed that CCMs will cooperate to develop a management procedure and an implementing measure for SP-ALB during 2025, with a view to adopting both a management procedure and its implementing measure at WCPFC22, that will replace CMM 2015-02(see para 716 of WCPFC21 Summary Report).

        The Commission may wish to consider establishing a small working group to advance discussions during WCPFC22, noting the close linkage to discussions under Agenda Item 11.1.4. 

    • 11.2 Issues related to CMM 2023-01 (Conservation and Management of Bigeye, Yellowfin, and Skipjack tunas in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean)

      The Commission will consider the following issues relating to its review of CMM 2023-01:

      i.    an evaluation of the effectiveness of CMM 2023-01: (tropical tunas), prepared by the SSP.

      ii.   implementation of increased monitoring coverage (by human observers or EM) associated with the increases in BET catch as part of Attachment 1, Table 3 of CMM 2023-01.


      iii.  consideration of a plan for reviewing CMM 2023-01 in 2026, pending the outcomes of discussions under Agenda Item 11.3 on the skipjack MP and Agenda Item 11.7 on the Harvest Strategy Workplan, noting that the CMM expires on 5 February 2027. 


      iv.   outcome of the Commission’s discussions at WCPFC20 related to the development of allocation frameworks for tropical tunas and its agreement to a phased approach to the development of criteria for allocation, elements of an allocation framework, and implementation of the frameworks, commencing in 2026 (see paragraph 567 of the WCPFC20 Summary Report_Rev01).

    • 11.3 Skipjack tuna

      SC21 accepted the 2025 skipjack stock assessment results and considered that at this early stage, the skipjack MP is performing as expected. 

      The Commission will review the updates relating to the skipjack MP and monitoring strategy, and consider any taskings to SC22 and TCC22 in 2026. 

    • 11.4 Bigeye tuna

      The Commission will review its plans to adopt a Management Procedure and a target reference point (TRP) for bigeye tuna, consistent with its Harvest Strategy Workplan (see Attachment 16 of the WCPFC21 Summary Report).

      The Commission will also review the BET Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) framework and advise on MP settings, assumptions, and performance indicators, as recommended by SC21.

    • 11.5 Yellowfin tuna

      The Commission will review its progress on development of the YFT harvest strategy, noting the proposed mixed fishery harvest strategy framework. The Commission will also review a plan to adopt a TRP. 

    • 11.6 Southwest Pacific swordfish

      The Commission will consider an Indicative Workplan for Developing a Southwest Pacific Swordfish Harvest Strategy, as recommended by SC21 in response to a tasking from WCPFC21 (see paras 458 to 460 of WCPFC21 Summary Report.) 

    • 11.7 Review and Update Harvest Strategy Workplan

      The Commission will review and update its Harvest Strategy Workplan and may consider a mechanism for enabling management advice to inform harvest strategy development during the intersessional period between annual Commission meetings.

      Taking into account discussions under agenda items 11.2, 11.4, and 11.5, the Commission will discuss a way forward on the implementation of the mixed fishery approach under the harvest strategy framework, including any outcomes from SC21.

  • 12. Mitigating Impacts of Fishing on Non-Target and Associated or Dependent Species (NTADS) in the WCPO

    The Commission will review its current conservation and management measures for non-target and associated or dependent species (NTADS), including outcomes from SC21, TCC21, and relevant intersessional working groups and CMM reviews.

    • 12.1 Review of CMM 2018-03 (Seabirds)

      The Commission will review a proposal from New Zealand on CMM 2018-03, which was tasked at WCPFC21 for consideration at WCPFC22, alongside advice from SC21 and TCC21. (see para 552 of WCPFC21 Summary Report).

    • 12.2 Review of CMM 2018-04 (Sea Turtles)

      An update on the status of implementation of CMM 2018-04 will be provided for consideration by the Commission, in addition to any advice from SC21 and TCC21 relating to sea turtles. No decisions are expected by the Commission for 2025, however, the Commission will take note that at WCPFC21, it agreed to review and revise CMM 2018-04 in 2026 (see para 204 of WCPFC21 Summary Report).

    • 12.3 Review of CMM 2024-05 (Sharks)

      The Commission will review advice and recommendations from TCC21 relating to the effectiveness of the alternatives and changes to Annex 2 of CMM 2024-05 (see para 619 of WCPFC21 Summary Report). The Commission will also review a paper tasked by TCC21 to be prepared by the TCC Chair in consultation with the Secretariat for the Commission’s consideration on how the review of the AR Part 2 information related to CCMs implementation of alternative measures set out in paragraph 9 of CMM 2024-05 can be completed at future TCC meetings during plenary sessions.

    • 12.4 Review of CMM 2024-07 (Cetaceans)

      The Commission will review advice from SC21 on appropriate requirements for effective reporting on cetacean interactions with tuna and associated species fisheries in the Convention area (see para 669 of WCPFC21 Summary Report), and any advice from TCC21 based on the Annual Report of the Regional Observer Programme (ROP) (see para 8 of CMM 2024-07).


      In response to the WCPFC21 request (para 668, WCPFC21 Report), the Commission will note that the IWC, in collaboration with the SSP, WCPFC Secretariat, and other WCPO stakeholders, will provide a Cetacean Identification Guide for the Pacific Ocean to support the implementation of CMM 2024-07.

  • 13. Compliance Monitoring

    The Commission will consider outcomes from TCC21 related to WCPFC’s monitoring and evaluation framework, including but not limited to:
    i.    Ongoing refinement and development of Audit Points for the Compliance Monitoring Scheme.
    ii.    Development of a sub-sampling approach relating to information in the Compliance Case File System (CCFS).
    iii.    List of obligations to be assessed under the CMS in 2026 for the 2025 reporting year.  
     

    The Commission will consider the provisional CMR recommended by TCC21, taking into account additional information that may be provided by CCMs. A small working group is expected to be established to consider the provisional CMR and compile a final CMR for consideration and adoption by the Commission at WCPFC22. 
     

    The Commission may wish to consider tasking a small working group to progress other CMS-related outcomes from TCC21 in the margins of WCPFC22, also noting that the CMS CMM is expiring in December 2026. 
     

  • 14. Adoption of 2026 IUU Vessel List

    The Commission will consider a recommendation from TCC21 on any new vessels for inclusion in the 2026 IUU Vessel List and any additional information in relation to vessels on the 2025 IUU Vessel List and adopt an IUU Vessel List for 2026. 

  • 15. Report of the 19th Finance and Administration Committee

    The Commission will consider the report of the 19th Session of the Finance and Administration Committee (FAC19), which will begin its meeting on 30 November 2025 and continue in the margins of WCPFC22. The Commission will consider FAC19’s recommendation on the proposed 2026 Budget, and indicative budgets for 2027 and 2028, for adoption.

  • 16. Cooperation with Other Organizations and International Ocean Governance Issues

    The Commission will review its 2025 activities with other organizations such as the IATTC, CCSBT, NPFC, and other regional fishery bodies with which the WCPFC has formal MOUs in place. 

    The Commission will also consider information and updates on global ocean agreements and activities that may have linkages with WCPFC’s work. This will include updates on the Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the 2025 Honiara Summit, and the 2025 UN Oceans Conference.

    The Commission will also receive an update on its request for WCPFC to obtain Observer status at the International Seabed Authority (ISA). 

  • 17. Administrative Matters

    The Commission will elect officers for the following roles, considering any recommendations from SC21 and TCC21:
    i.    SC Chair
    ii.    SC Vice Chair
    iii.    TCC Chair
    iv.    TCC Vice Chair
    v.    FAC Co-Chairs (two positions)
    vi.    ER and EM IWG Chair
     

    The Commission will consider and agree to indicative dates and venues for its 2026 regular annual session, subsidiary body meetings, and other intersessional activities.
    i.    22nd Northern Committee, including the 11th PBFJWG (8-14 July 2026, [TBD], Japan)
    ii.    22nd Scientific Committee (11-19 August 2026, Apia, Samoa)
    iii.    22nd Technical and Compliance Committee (23-29 September 2026, Pohnpei, FSM)
    iv.    23rd Regular Session of the Commission (4-8 December 2026, [TBD])
    v.    Intersessional Working Groups (note: some IWG meetings may progress electronically and/or meet virtually.)
    vi.    1st South Pacific Albacore Joint Working Group
    vii.    Other intersessional meetings or processes
     

  • 18. Other Matters

    The Commission will consider other matters that may be raised when the agenda is considered under Agenda Item 1.1.

  • 19. Close of Meeting

    The Chair will invite closing statements before declaring WCPFC22 as closed.