Special Session of the Scientific Committee

Background:

WCPFC21 agreed to a sequenced approach to determining management objectives for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, which was reaffirmed at WCPFC22. Under the mixed-fishery framework, yellowfin is indirectly managed through the MPs for skipjack, bigeye, and South Pacific albacore. SC22 adopted the yellowfin OM reference set and supported the yellowfin MSE framework. The preliminary projections presented at SC22 indicated a low risk of yellowfin falling below its LRP but suggested that the existing yellowfin management objective of maintaining spawning biomass depletion at or above the 2012–2015 average may not be achieved under the bigeye MP scenarios evaluated. As these projections did not incorporate the implications of the revised bigeye OM reference set developed following SC22, BMW02 requested the SSP to update yellowfin projections using the refined subset of bigeye MP options, including relevant yellowfin performance indicators, for consideration at the Special SC Session and WCPFC23.

SSSC01 Action: 

SSSC01 will review the updated yellowfin projections under the refined bigeye MP options, focusing on projected stock status, LRP risk, performance relative to the existing yellowfin management objective, and associated fishery outcomes. SSSC01 may assess the scientific implications of alternative bigeye TRPs and management configurations for yellowfin, taking into account relevant interactions with the skipjack and South Pacific albacore MPs, and identify any significant uncertainties or limitations.