22nd Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

FAC19 discussions in Manila, Philippines, highlighted the P42 budget line as a significant component of the Scientific Research budget and noted the need to clearly articulate the value and outcomes of tagging activities. In this context, SC22 will review the scientific contributions of the Pacific Tuna Tagging Project to stock assessments, ecosystem and modelling work, and other scientific outputs, and discuss its role in supporting the advice of the Scientific Committee to inform consideration of related matters in wider WCPFC processes, including FAC20.

• Tagging data collected through the Pacific Tuna Tagging Project provide critical information on movement, population dynamics, and spatial processes that underpin tuna stock assessments in the WCPO. These data also support the parameterisation of SEAPODYM and contribute more broadly to the scientific analyses and advice developed by the Scientific Committee.