Tuna fisheries assessment reports provide most recent information on the tuna fisheries of the western and central Pacific Ocean and the fish stocks (mainly tuna) that are impacted by them. The information provided a summary, but a list of references (mostly accessible via the Internet) is included for those seeking further details.

This report focuses on the main tuna stocks targeted by the fisheries - skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (T. obesus) and South Pacific albacore tuna (T. alalunga).

The first section of the report provides an overview of the fishery, with emphasis on developments over the past few years; the second summarises the most recent information on the status of the stocks; and the third summarises information concerning the interaction between the tuna fisheries and other associated and dependent species as well as climate change impacts. The data used in compiling the report are those which were available to the Oceanic Fisheries Programme (OFP) at the time of publication, and are subject to change as improvements continue to be made to recent and historical catch statistics from the region. The fisheries statistics presented will usually be complete to the end of the year prior to publication. However, some minor revisions to statistics may be made for recent years from time to time. The stock assessment information presented is the most recent available at the time of publication.

• The Western and Central Pacific Tuna Fishery: 2017 Overview and Status of Stocks, Stephen Brouwer, Graham Pilling, John Hampton, Peter Williams, Laura Tremblay-Boyer, Matthew Vincent, Neville Smith and Thomas Peatman. Oceanic Fisheries Programme. Tuna Fishery Assessment Report No. 18