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Final <strong>Report</strong>
RoO Derogation under the PACP-IEPA
Table 5.1 Current stock status of skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye in WCPO, 2011 118
Species 2010 catch
(mt) 1
Skipjack 1,556,600
(1,610,578)
Yellowfin 507,100
(558,761)
Bigeye 116,900
(125,757)
Catch
trend
Stable in recent
few years, rapid
expansion
during 2000s
Stable/
Increasing
slightly
Decrease
Overfishing
occurring 2
No
(F curr /F MSY = 0.37)
No
(F curr /F MSY =0.77)
Yes
(F curr /F MSY = 1.46)
Overfished
state
No
(SB curr /SB MSY =
2.94)
No
(SB curr /SB MSY =
1.47)
No
(SB curr /SB MSY =
1.19)
Comment
Stock robust but impacts
increasing and greatest in
western equatorial areas
Approaching MSY levels;
impact greatest in western
equatorial areas; future
projections favourable
under most scenarios
Continuing overfishing;
almost overfished (biomass
close to MSY levels) but
situation may be improving;
Impacts greatest in
equatorial areas
1
WCPO catches have been adjusted for species composition following catch sampling and as used in the 2011 assessments;
unadjusted catch figures as reported to SC7 are listed below (bracketed) in each case.
2
Overfishing is judged to be occurring when the level of fishing mortality (F), in this case F curr , the fishing morality applying
to recent years (2006-2009), exceeds that associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY); when the ratio of F curr to F MSY
exceeds 1.0, overfishing is occurring. The stock is judged to be in an overfished state when current spawning biomass
levels (SB curr ) have fallen below the biomass level associated with the spawning biomass at MSY (i.e. SB curr < SB MSY ).
Source: SPC database, 2011 assessments and Harley et al. 2011.
The skipjack stock remains only moderately exploited and current fishing levels are sustainable, as
has been the case since assessments commenced. 119 Current fishing mortality rates are about one
third of the level associated with Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), and biomass levels are over
twice those associated with those at MSY level. Catches are at near record highs and at current
fishing mortality levels, the equilibrium yield is exceeded. 120 The WCPFC Scientific Committee noted
that, if recent patterns continue, catch levels will decline in future and catch should decrease as
stock levels are fished down and MSY levels are approached. 121 There is a risk that skipjack
availability to seasonal temperate water fisheries (e.g. Japan, New Zealand) may be reduced. Recent
recruitment levels are estimated to have been high and it is unclear if these will be maintained.
Fishing pressure and recruitment variability, influenced by environmental conditions, will continue
to be the primary influences on skipjack stock size and fishery performance. 112 No management
action on skipjack has been necessary to date, although precautionary limits to catch and effort are
now under consideration. There is a commitment to develop and adopt at the Eighth Annual Session
of WCPFC (WCPFC 8) an enhanced version of CMM 2008-01 for tropical tunas which will include
skipjack for the first time, and which will follow an agreed process for its formulation. 122 This is
necessary as the current CMM will theoretically expire at the end of 2011. 123
118 Information from Harley et al. (2011) and SC7 assessments.
119 Hoyle et al. 2011.
120 The equilibrium yield is a theoretical concept and is the yield or catch that could be taken every year by a
fixed amount of fishing effort, maintaining the stock at a constant level, assuming a steady-state situation.
The concept neglects inter-annual environmentally driven stock fluctuations and so is not useful for short term
predictions. It is, however, useful for guidance on long term strategy formulation.
121 Harley et al. 2011: 2.
122 WCPFC 2010b.
123 The Eighth Regular Session of the WCPFC (WCPFC8), to be held in early December in Palau, was postponed
due to logistical difficulties, and has been rescheduled for late March 2012 in Guam. It is agreed that current
CMMs will remain in force until March 2012.
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