The tuna fisheries assessment report (commonly referred to as the "TFAR") provides current 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 in this report is summary in nature, but a list of references (mostly accessible via the internet) is included for those seeking further details. This report focuses on the primary tuna stocks targeted by the main Western and Central Pacific Ocean industrial fisheries - skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (T. obesus) and South Pacific albacore tuna (T. alalunga).

The report is divided into three parts: the first section 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, other associated and dependent species and their environment.

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.

Hare S.R., Williams P.G., Castillo Jordán C., Hamer P.A., Hampton W.J., Scott R.D., Pilling G.M. 2021. The western and central Pacific tuna fishery: 2020 overview and status of stocks. Tuna Fisheries Assessment Report no. 21. Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community. 53 p.  https://purl.org/spc/digilib/doc/qkpa2

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