Second Bigeye Management Workshop: Full Annotated Agenda

The Chair will open the meeting, welcome participants, and outline the objectives and expected outcomes of BMW02. The Chair will recall that BMW02 is intended to advance development of the BET MP by narrowing the range of options for the BET MP and providing guidance for any necessary further scientific evaluation and consideration by the Special SC Session, with the aim of presenting a sufficiently refined candidate MP framework for consideration at WCPFC23. BMW01 envisaged adoption of the BET MP and associated TRP at WCPFC23, followed by development of an implementing measure in 2027.

Background:

BMW01 established the main elements for further development of the BET MP. Since BMW01, SC22 requested further work on the OM grid, MSE evaluations and fisheries-application arrangements. WP01 summarizes progress since BMW01 and SC22 and identifies the key management decisions that need to be advanced at BMW02 and subsequent meetings.

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should identify the outstanding management decisions to be addressed under each subsequent agenda item and clarify which issues require management direction from BMW02 and which require further SSP analysis or SC consideration before WCPFC23. Noting that there is limited time between BMW02 and WCPFC23, BMW02 will need to prioritise any additional analyses it requests to support MP adoption at WCPFC23.

This agenda item will provide the scientific and analytical information needed to inform the management discussions under Agenda Items 4-7. Presentations should focus on information relevant to the consideration and refinement of candidate MPs, without reopening detailed stock-assessment discussions.

Background:

Drawing on the MP design and updated MSE results presented under Agenda Item 3, BMW02 will seek to reduce the candidate MP set by considering the fisheries/spatial application options and candidate TRPs. SC22 advised BMW02 to keep the number of candidate MPs manageable, including by considering exclusion of candidates that perform similarly across indicators with the rationale clearly documented. The existing range of options produces a large number of fisheries-application/TRP combinations even before alternative HCR shapes are considered (Agenda Item 5), making reduction of the candidate set a critical step before further evaluation.

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should narrow the fisheries/spatial application options and candidate TRPs to a manageable set for further evaluation, clearly identify the options retained or removed and the reasons for doing so, and specify any remaining alternatives and additional MSE evaluations required from the SSP before the Special SC Session and WCPFC23.

Background:

The shape of the BET HCRs remains to be further developed, particularly how fishing levels should respond when estimated stock status moves away from the Hillary Step plateau toward the LRP. This is an important design element for defining how the MP responds to changes in stock status.

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should provide guidance on the HCR shape, particularly how longline catch limits and FAD closure periods should respond as estimated stock status declines toward the LRP, and narrow the alternatives for further MSE evaluation before WCPFC23.

Background:

Drawing on the MP design and HCR information presented under Agenda Items 3.2 and 5, BMW02 will consider how the BET MP would operate across successive three-year management periods and how its outputs would translate into Commission management decisions. A key issue is which elements of the HCR are predetermined and whether the balance between longline catch limits and FAD closure periods would be selected or reconsidered by the Commission in each management period. This distinction becomes important when estimated stock status moves off the Hillary Step plateau, as continued application of a predetermined HCR along its descending limb could result in substantial changes in fishing pressure and raise the need for constraints between management periods.

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should clarify the intended operational cycle of the MP, including when the longline/FAD balance is selected or reconsidered, which HCR elements remain predetermined, and whether constraints on changes in fishing pressure between management periods are required. BMW02 should also provide direction on how MP outputs would be implemented through the Tropical Tuna CMM, including treatment of fisheries outside direct MP control and the relationship between catch-based MP outputs and effort-based arrangements such as the VDS, and identify any operational arrangements requiring further SSP evaluation before the Special SC Session and WCPFC23. 

Background:

Under the mixed-fishery approach, YFT outcomes are influenced by management of fisheries through the SKJ, SPA and BET MPs. As development of the BET MP progresses, the implications of candidate BET MP designs for YFT should be considered as part of the overall evaluation. 

BMW02 action:

BMW02 should consider the approach taken to evaluating the implications of candidate BET MP designs for YFT through the mixed fishery approach, the preliminary findings presented to SC22, and identify the YFT outcomes relevant to narrowing the BET MP options, together with any further YFT evaluation needed for the refined candidate set before WCPFC23.

The Chair will invite participants to raise any additional matters directly relevant to the development, evaluation, or implementation of the BET MP that have not been addressed under preceding agenda items. Any matter requiring further technical or scientific work should be clearly identified, including the work required, the responsible body, and the timing for completion before the Special SC Session or WCPFC23, without reopening issues already addressed elsewhere in the agenda.

The Chair will review and seek confirmation of the BMW02 outcomes and guidance, including the candidate MPs and fisheries/spatial application and TRP options retained for further consideration, the rationale for removing options, guidance on HCR shape and operational and implementation arrangements, and any additional BET or YFT MSE analyses or other SSP work requested. The outcomes should also record BMW02 feedback on the revised BET OMs for consideration by the Special SC Session, identify outstanding scientific matters requiring further SC consideration, and clearly specify management and policy matters remaining for decision by WCPFC23.

The Chair will summarize the next steps toward the Special SC Session and WCPFC23, including any agreed intersessional analyses or documents to be prepared by the SSP. The Chair will thank participants, the host, the SSP, and the Secretariat, and close BMW02.