22nd Regular Session of the Scientific Committee

SC22 will consider updates provided by the Secretariat on deep sea mining activities in the western and central Pacific Ocean. SC22 may also consider a role for EB or ecosystem-related workstreams in tracking and assessing potential risks to tuna fisheries from deep-sea mining, including identifying data needs, strengthening coordination with ISA and other relevant bodies, and considering whether future scientific advice and monitoring frameworks should incorporate these emerging pressures.

• SC21 and WCPFC22 discussions indicate emerging concerns about the potential impacts of International Seabed Authority (ISA) deep-sea mining activities on tuna ecosystems and the broader marine environment, although this issue is still at an early stage within WCPFC processes. SC21 acknowledged that external pressures, including activities such as deep-sea mining, are becoming increasingly relevant to fisheries management and may affect ecosystem dynamics that underpin tuna stocks. This reflects a growing recognition that non-fishing impacts could influence stock productivity, habitat conditions, and ecosystem interactions. While no specific management actions were agreed upon, the issue highlights a gap in current scientific monitoring and assessment frameworks, which are not yet designed to evaluate such impacts. WCPFC participated in the ISA REMP workshop in Busan from 18 to 21 May 2026 and will report key outcomes to SC22, including identified management measures, knowledge gaps, and collaboration needs from the workshop process.