23rd Regular Session of the Commission: Full Annotated Agenda

  • 1. OPENING OF MEETING
    • 1.1 Adoption of Agenda

      The Commission will review and adopt its Agenda for the 23rd Regular Annual Session. 

    • 1.2 Establishment of Small Working Groups at WCPFC23

      The Commission will establish any small working groups necessary to progress discussions at WCPFC23. 

    • 1.3 Meeting Logistics and Arrangements

      The Secretariat will provide information on side events, arrangements for morning/afternoon teas and lunch breaks, and other relevant administrative information to support participants throughout WCPFC23.

      Scheduling of discussions will be arranged to ensure that reports from subsidiary bodies and intersessional meetings are provided before management discussions are opened under Agenda Item 11 to ensure that management-related discussions are informed by SC22, TCC22, and relevant intersessional work. Delegation proposals will also be scheduled for introduction on Day 1. An Indicative Schedule will be provided shortly before the commencement of WCPFC23. 

  • 2. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS AND PARTICIPATING TERRITORIES

    Members and Participating Territories will be invited to provide opening statements, which may also be taken as read and included in the Summary Report, where requested. 

  • 3. 2026 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    In accordance with Rule 13 of the WCPFC Rules of Procedure, the Executive Director will present the 2026 Annual Report, covering the work of the Commission, its subsidiary bodies, and intersessional working groups.

  • 4. INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROPOSALS

    CCMs will be invited to present their proposals for consideration at WCPFC23. 

    The Commission will consider how to progress discussions on new proposals for decision making at WCPFC23, including future taskings, which may include the establishment of small working groups to meet during WCPFC23. New proposals may be also designated for further discussion under the relevant WCPFC23 agenda item.

    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, which may include reports from CCMs on activities undertaken in 2026 in support of developing States.

    • 5.1 2026 Strategic Investment Plan

      The Secretariat will present a report on the implementation of the Strategic Investment Plan in 2026 and the updated Strategic Investment Plan for consideration by the Commission.

    • 5.2 West Pacific East Asia Project (WPEA)

      The Commission will receive updates on activities undertaken through the WPEA Project in the current project cycle in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

    • 5.3 Update on Independent Review of Article 30 Implementation

      The Commission will receive an update from the Independent Panel on its progress since July 2026 on the review of the Commission’s implementation of Article 30. The Commission may provide advice and input to the Independent Panel to inform its report, due to the Secretariat at the end of June 2027.

  • 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. In 2026, the following organizations were granted observer status intersessionally by the Commission:  Greenovation Institute for Public Welfare Development (GHub), New World Hope Organization (NWHO) and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

    • 6.3 Applications for 2027 Cooperating Non-Member (CNM) status

      The Commission will review TCC22’s recommendations with respect to applications for Cooperating Non-Member Status and determine which applicants will have CNM status for 2027. 

      • 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 2027.  

  • 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 managed by the WCPFC. 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. 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.  

    The Commission will review its 2027 climate change workplan to ensure climate change considerations are adequately reflected in the Commission’s work and determine whether any adjustments are required.

    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).  

  • 9. REPORTS FROM SUBSIDIARY BODIES

    The Commission will receive the Summary Reports of its subsidiary body meetings in 2026: NC22, SC22, and TCC22, including their recommendations to the Commission requiring consideration at WCPFC23. The Commission may adopt the recommendations from the subsidiary bodies and provide direction for further tasking to each of the subsidiary bodies in 2027 or later years. 

    Some recommendations may be delegated for consideration under relevant agenda items at WCPFC23, in which case the Summary Reports will remain open until all relevant recommendations have been agreed, following which the Summary Reports of the subsidiary bodies will be adopted. 

  • 10. REPORTS FROM INTERSESSIONAL WORKING GROUPS AND PROCESSES

    The Commission will receive updates on its intersessional work, undertaken through individual working groups, informal review processes, and other activities. The Commission may consider recommendations from any of its intersessional working groups (IWGs), including proposals for adoption of new or revised conservation and management measures. Where relevant, the Commission may delegate further discussion of any of its intersessional outcomes to other agenda items at WCPFC23. 

    The informal intersessional review of CMM 2018-04 (Sea Turtles) is considered under Agenda Item 12.1. 

    The Commission will also be invited to review and adopt workplans for future intersessional work.

    • 10.1 FAD Management Options IWG

      Summary of 2026 activities: Through intersessional work, progress was made on the utility of satellite buoy data transmission requirements, FAD recovery programs/strategies, FAD logbooks, biodegradable dFADs  and dFAD deployment. SC22 suggested that further work on the 350 active dFAD-buoy-per-vessel limit is low priority and should wait for updated SPC analysis in the 2027 Tropical Tuna Measure review.

      The FAD-MO IWG is seeking guidance, and where appropriate, endorsement or adoption of the recommendations of the FADMO-IWG, including its work priorities for 2027.

    • 10.2 Regional Observer Programme IWG

      Summary of 2026 activities: Intersessional activities focused on improving timeliness and accuracy of ROP reporting for compliance purposes, updating observer reporting for new obligations and ensuring transparency by proposing data fields to capture information on vessels transferring supplies and crew. 

      The ROP-IWG is seeking adoption by the Commission of:

      • A revised process for the flow of observer data from CCMs to support the creation of case files in the Commission’s CCFS;
      • Obligations to be reflected in the ROP Minimum Standard Data Fields and the targeting of data collection for compliance in addition to scientific purposes;
      • Data fields to support observer reporting of non-catch transfers between vessels on the high seas; and
      • An updated work plan.
    • 10.3 ER and EM IWG

      Summary of 2026 activities: The ERandEM IWG continued development of the WCPFC EM framework, including an audit and assurance process and questionnaire, updated interim technical standards, and an optional Vessel Monitoring Plan template. The IWG also considered a US-proposed draft CMM for a WCPFC EM programme and continued discussions on implementation arrangements for longline EM.

      The ERandEM IWG is seeking adoption by the Commission of:

      • EM audit questionnaire
      • EM audit and assurance process
      • Updated Interim EM Technical Standards
      • Updated workplan
    • 10.4 High Seas Boarding and Inspection – Development of Voluntary Guides

      Summary of 2026 activities: The HSBI Working Group progressed updates to the voluntary Bycatch Mitigation Measuring Guide relating to seabird bycatch mitigation and the Development of a Crew Labour Standards Inspection Guide, based on feedback raised by WG participants. 

      The WG is seeking the following from the Commission:

      • Adoption of Bycatch Mitigation Measuring Guide, and
      • Further feedback on the draft Crew Labour Standards Inspection Guide, expected to be brought to WCPFC24 for consideration for adoption following further development intersessionally during 2027.
    • 10.5 Port State Measures – Review of CMM 2017-02

      Summary of 2026 activities: The PSM WG continued its review of CMM 2017-02, focusing on practical improvements to the Commission’s port minimum standards. Key areas included support for SIDS and developing States, access to Commission data for port CCM functions of Co-operating Non-Members within the scope of the WCPFC 2009 MCS Data Rules and Procedures, improvements to reporting and information exchange, and links with other MCS tools and relevant regional and international frameworks.

      The PSM WG is seeking Commission action at WCPFC23 on the following:

      • proposals for changes to CMM 2017-02; and
      • potential scope and nature of potential changes to the 2009 MCS Data Rules and Procedures to support CNMs who are port CCMs. 
    • 10.6 Marine Pollution – Review of CMM 2017-04

      Summary of 2026 activities: CCMs made significant progress following the invitation from WCPFC21 for interested parties to contribute to the review and amendment of CMM 2017-04. Commonalities have formed around including provisions for Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), awareness of the negative impacts of plastics in the marine environment, and the need to coordinate appropriate measures with other Commission bodies, such as the FADMO IWG. The advice of SC22 and TCC22 was sought regarding the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and underwater noise pollution, the effects of ALDFG on the marine environment and any data which should be collected to support measures. 

      Canada, as the lead of the informal intersessional review, will submit a delegation proposal for Commission consideration at WCPFC23. 

  • 11. CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TUNAS AND BILLFISH, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF HARVEST STRATEGIES

    The Commission will review progress and performance of its conservation and management measures for four key tunas and billfish stocks managed by WCPFC. 

  • 12. REVIEW OF CMMs MITIGATING IMPACTS OF FISHING ON NON-TARGET AND ASSOCIATED OR DEPENDENT SPECIES (NTADS) IN THE WCPO

    The Commission will review implementation of its current conservation and management measures for non-target and associated or dependent species (NTADS), including any outcomes from SC22, TCC22, and relevant intersessional working groups and CMM reviews, that are not considered under other agenda items. 

    Working papers for each sub-item under Agenda Item 12 will contain the latest scientific information and advice available from the Scientific Committee, noting that not all NTADS CMMs were considered at SC22. Updated compliance history, data collection, and monitoring efforts will also be provided for each sub-item. 

  • 13. COMPLIANCE MONITORING

    The Commission will review progress and updates on implementation of the WCPFC Compliance Monitoring Scheme. 

  • 14. ADOPTION OF 2027 IUU VESSEL LIST

    The Commission will review the provisional 2027 IUU Vessel List, as recommended by TCC22. Additional discussions may be required at WCPFC23, hence this agenda item may be opened early in the agenda to allow for further discussion to take place before the Commission is invited to adopt the 2027 IUU Vessel List before the conclusion of WCPFC23. 

  • 15. REPORT OF THE 20TH FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
  • 16. COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE ISSUES

    The Commission will receive updates from the Secretariat on intersessional activities relating to ocean governance, with relevance to WCPFC’s mandate. The Secretariat will also provide updates on its engagement and cooperation with other organizations. This update will complement a mid-year update contained in Circular 2026/66: Mid-year Updates on International Ocean Governance Activities with Relevance to WCPFC.

  • 17. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

    The Commission will elect officers for the following roles, considering any recommendations from the relevant subsidiary body. The elected officials will take up their roles beginning in 2027.

    1. NC Vice Chair
    2. Commission Chair
    3. Commission Vice-Chair

    The Commission will consider and agree to indicative dates and venues for its 2027 regular annual session, subsidiary body meetings, and other intersessional activities.

    1. 23rd Northern Committee, including the 12th PBFJWG (TBD)
    2. 23rd Scientific Committee (XX August 2027, Pohnpei, FSM)
    3. 23rd Technical and Compliance Committee (XX September 2027, Pohnpei, FSM)
    4. 21st Finance and Administration Committee (xx 2027, [TBD])
    5. 24th Regular Session of the Commission (2027, [TBD])

    Intersessional Working Groups (note: some IWG meetings may progress electronically and/or meet virtually.)

    1. 2nd South Pacific Albacore Joint Working Group with IATTC
    2. Other intersessional meetings or processes
  • 18. OTHER MATTERS

    The Commission will consider any other matters that may arise.

  • 19. CLOSE OF MEETING

    The Chair may invite closing statements by CCMs and Observers before closing the 23rd Regular Annual Meeting of the Commission.