22nd Regular Session of the Northern Committee: Full Annotated Agenda

  • 1. OPENING OF THE MEETING
    • 1.1 Opening of the meeting

      The Chair Masanori Miyahara (Japan) will open the Twenty-Second Regular Session of the Northern Committee (NC22) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), held at DEJIMA MESSE NAGASAKI in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture of Japan, from 13 (Monday) to 14 (Tuesday) July 2026.

    • 1.2 Adoption of the agenda

      The Chair will introduce the Provisional Agenda (WCPFC-NC22-2026/02). Any other matters raised here can be discussed under Agenda Item 9.4 (Other business).

    • 1.3 Meeting arrangements

      The Chair will outline the meeting schedule, achievement targets, and appoint the rapporteur.

    • 1.4 Report from the ISC and SC
      • 1.4.1 Report from the ISC

        NC22 will receive a report on the key outcomes of the 26th ISC Plenary Meeting, held in Chinese Taipei from June 22 to 29, 2026.

      • 1.4.2 Report from SC

        As the 22nd regular Session of the WCPFC Scientific Committee will be held from 11 to 19  August 2026 in Samoa, no report from SC22 will be available at NC22.

        However, NC22 may consider, under this agenda, the application of the WCPFC Management Advice and Uncertainty Template (SC21-SA-IP-22) in the provision of scientific advice, as tasked by the Commission (Para. 224, WCPFC22 Summary Report), including reviewing the template and incorporating it into the Committee’s regular reporting processes. Discussions will focus on improving the clarity, consistency, and systematic presentation of uncertainties, risk, and confidence levels associated with scientific assessments. In particular, the Committee will consider how to structure advice in line with the template’s components—such as stock status indicators, reference points, projections, and explicit characterization of uncertainty—to support more informed and consistent decision-making by the Commission.

  • 2. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR THE NORTHERN STOCKS
    • 2.1 Pacific Bluefin Tuna (PBF)

      According to the Work Programme for the Northern Committee (Attachment D, NC21 Summary Report), the NC’s tasks for 2026 include:

      1. reviewing compiled members’ reports on their implementation of two CMMs for Pacific bluefin tuna and identifying and addressing any shortcomings;
      2. finalizing a long-term harvest strategy framework;
      3. reviewing members’ implementation of MCS measures; and
      4. Completing the establishment of the CDS.

      NC22 will review the outcomes of the JWG11 meeting and provide recommendations to the Commission on these tasks.

    • 2.2 North Pacific albacore (CMM 2019-03)
      • 2.2.1 Reports from CCMs and Observers

        NC22 will review reports from CCMs and observers on the implementation of CMM 2019- 03, including compiled catch and effort information. Discussions will include clarification of reporting practices (e.g., use of effort metrics such as vessel numbers vs. fishing days), consistency in reporting between the Convention Area and the entire North Pacific, and trends in catch and effort. NC22 will also consider any issues identified in members’ reports and encourage improvements in reporting completeness and transparency.

      • 2.2.2 Application of Harvest Strategy for the North Pacific Albacore Fishery

        NC22 will consider ISC advice related to the application of the harvest strategy, including criteria for identifying exceptional circumstances and guidance on translating fishing intensity into management measures such as catch and/or effort. The meeting will review progress in implementing elements of the harvest strategy, including interpretation of fishing intensity relative to reference points and consideration of potential management responses if thresholds are exceeded. NC22 will also consider follow-up work requested from ISC, including estimates of historical fleet impacts to inform future management considerations.

      • 2.2.3 Review of the CMM for North Pacific Albacore (CMM 2019-03)

        NC22 will review CMM 2019-03 in light of implementation reports and available scientific advice. Noting that no proposals to amend the measure were made at NC21, the review will consider whether any changes are necessary, taking into account updated information from the recent stock assessment and progress in the development of the harvest strategy.

    • 2.3 North Pacific swordfish (CMM 2023-03)
      • 2.3.1 Reports from CCMs and Observers

        NC22 will review compiled catch and effort information for North Pacific swordfish and consider CCMs’ reporting on the implementation of CMM 2023-03. Discussions will focus on trends in catch and effort and whether current measures remain appropriate, noting that NC21 reviewed available information and maintained the existing measure.

      • 2.3.2 Development of a management framework

        NC22 will consider progress in the development of a management framework for North Pacific swordfish, including advancing work on a management strategy evaluation (MSE). This will include a review of ISC advice on developing an MSE workplan, consideration of capacity and timelines for undertaking the MSE, and discussion of candidate operational management objectives. NC22 will also follow up on the request to ISC to develop a detailed MSE workplan and on the NC’s role in facilitating stakeholder engagement in the MSE process.

      • 2.3.3 Review of the CMM for North Pacific Swordfish (CMM 2023-03)

        NC22 will review the CMM in light of implementation reports and available scientific advice.

  • 3. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR OTHER STOCKS
    • 3.1 North Pacific striped marlin (CMM 2024-06)

      NC22 will consider the status and management of North Pacific striped marlin under CMM 2024-06, taking into account ISC scientific advice indicating that the stock remains overfished and subject to overfishing, as well as updated projections on the rebuilding trajectory, if available. 

      The Committee will also examine whether current catch levels and recent trends are consistent with the agreed rebuilding plan, noting concerns raised at WCPFC22 regarding increasing catches and the need for continued strong management attention. 

      In line with the NC work programme, the Committee will review ISC inputs relevant to the rebuilding plan, while noting that the next stock assessment is scheduled for 2027.

    • 3.2 Non-target, associated, dependent species (seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks)
      • 3.2.1 Seabirds (CMM 2025-05)

        NC22 will consider issues related to seabirds, including reviewing the implementation of CMM 2025-05 in the northern area and evaluating the effectiveness of current measures to minimize seabird catch and mortality. 

      • 3.2.2 Sea turtles (CMM 2018-04)

        NC22 will consider issues related to sea turtles, including reviewing the implementation of mitigation measures under CMM 2018-04 and available research on methods to minimize catch and mortality, in view of the outcomes of the recent Informal Intersessional Meeting for the Review of CMM 2018-04 Sea Turtles held online in April 2026. 

      • 3.2.3 Sharks (CMM 2025-06)

        NC22 will consider issues related to sharks, including the implementation of CMM 2025- 06 in the northern area and any relevant scientific advice from ISC. The Committee will review available information and discuss appropriate implementation of shark measures, as well as consider potential management options where necessary. NC22 will also encourage the submission of shark data to the Commission and ISC to support scientific analysis and inform future management decisions.

  • 4. CLIMATE CHANGE

    NC22 will consider the implications of climate change for northern stocks and discuss how climate-related risks and uncertainties can be addressed using existing scientific information and processes, including their integration into stock assessments, harvest strategies, and management advice. 

  • 5. REGIONAL OBSERVER PROGRAMME

    NC22 may review any information regarding the implementation of the regional observer program (CMM 2018-05) for fishing vessels operating in the area north of 20°N. NC22 may also discuss the ongoing development of an e-monitoring system in the WCPFC.

  • 6. DATA

    NC22 will consider matters related to data provision for northern stocks, with a view to ensuring the timely submission of complete and accurate data required for stock assessments, the formulation of management measures, and the review of Commission decisions. The Committee will review the status of data submissions by CCMs, including data for Pacific bluefin tuna, North Pacific albacore, North Pacific striped marlin, and swordfish, and encourage full and consistent reporting to the Commission and availability of such data to ISC. NC22 will also discuss practical approaches to improving data quality and completeness, including consideration of systems and processes to validate catch 

  • 7. COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
    • 7.1 ISC

      NC22 will consider cooperation with the ISC, including reviewing ISC activities and ongoing scientific support provided to the Northern Committee. The Committee will discuss options to strengthen and sustain support to the ISC, taking into account its request for more stable financial and technical resources, and recognizing recent contributions by CCMs to key scientific work such as stock assessments and MSE development. NC22 will also consider any proposals from members aimed at enhancing collaboration and ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality scientific advice to support the work of the Committee.

    • 7.2 IATTC

      NC22 will consider cooperation with the IATTC, including ongoing collaboration through the Joint Working Group (JWG) and its role in advancing the management of shared stocks. The Committee will review progress in cooperative work and discuss opportunities to further strengthen collaboration, including the inclusion of additional species such as swordfish in joint activities. NC22 will also consider how continued coordination with the IATTC can support the development of management measures and ensure consistency in the management of shared stocks across the Pacific.

  • 8. FUTURE WORK PROGRAMME
  • 9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
  • 10. ADOPTION OF THE SUMMARY REPORT OF THE 22ND REGULAR SESSION OF THE NORTHERN COMMITTEE

    NC22 will adopt the Summary Report of its 22nd Regular Session of the Northern Committee.

  • 11. CLOSE OF THE MEETING

    The meeting is scheduled to close at [5 pm] on 14 July 2026.