21st Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee

The Commission at WCPFC20 tasked SC and TCC to include, as part of the standing agenda item on climate change, a review of available data to inform the Commission on climate change impacts to stocks and ecosystems in the WCPO, and the potential effects of climate change on related fishing activities (WCPFC20 Summary Report paragraph 220).  In addition, the Commission adopted the WCPFC Climate Change Workplan 2024 - 2027 which describes the tasks to be taken by the Commission and its subsidiary bodies to address climate change impacts on WCPFC fisheries in the Convention Area (WCPFC21 Summary Report Attachment 13)

In this regard, the TCC Workplan 2025-2027 indicates that TCC21 will review available data to inform the Commission on climate change impacts to stocks and ecosystems in the WCPO, and the potential effects of climate change on related fishing activities and provide recommendations to the Commission identifying information gaps, necessary analyses and any additional tasks to ensure that Commissions CMMs contribute to long-term sustainability in accordance with Article 10 of the Convention. 

The specific data and information to be reviewed at TCC21 is expected to include:

• Brief updates from the SSP on the status of the WCPO tuna and billfish stocks and climate change impacts, and ecosystems indicators report card.
• Consideration of the outcomes and technical information from the CMM vulnerability assessment and an update report on the progress of the consultancy, and 

TCC21 will also continue to discuss appropriate ways to incorporate climate change into the work of TCC.  TCC21 will provide advice and recommendations as appropriate.