SPC, New Caledonia - 9-12 October 2018

Tuna are the focus of significant fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, with landings of four species (skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna and albacore tuna) constituting approximately 70% of the global tuna catch. 

Stock assessments for skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and South Pacific albacore tunas in the Pacific Ocean currently assume eastern and western stocks, a split that reflects historical development of fishery management in the region rather than biological considerations.

There is widespread agreement that uncertainties surrounding the stock structure of the four main target species could have important impacts on population dynamics models used to assess stock status and inform management options.