Capacity building on harvest strategies: Progress and areas of improvement
In pursuit of sustainable tuna fisheries in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) members agreed in 2015 to a workplan for the adoption of harvest strategies for WCPO skipjack, bigeye,…
Data balancing acts: The coexistence of offshore tuna and artisanal fisheries in French Polynesia
French Polynesia, a paradise of azure waters and pristine beaches, has been facing a complex challenge in recent years – the coexistence of its growing offshore tuna fishery and the existing artisanal fishery sector. This delicate balance requires a…
Help us find out how tuna age and how fast they grow
Since 2006, the Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme, endorsed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), has been organising fish tagging events annually.
Case study: Luen Thai/Lian Cheng involvement in electronic monitoring of tuna fisheries in the Federated States of Micronesia
Although there is general agreement that the use of electronic monitoring (EM) aboard tuna vessels could be a valuable tool for managing tuna fisheries, there is considerable discussion and debate about the most appropriate manner to initiate the uptake…
Tuna stomachs: Is the glass half full, or half empty?
For some of us, fishing is a bit like playing bingo: you need to be lucky, but unlike bingo, with experience and scientific knowledge you can increase your chances of winning the fishing competition or putting the catch of the day on the menu. The…
Tuna help to map mercury pollution in the ocean
Whether as sushi, steak or tinned, tuna is one of the world’s most widely eaten saltwater fish, and yet it is known to contain toxic methylmercury, the most toxic form of mercury, which affects the nervous system, with foetuses and young children being…
Fisheries Story: A large-scale tuna sampling operation organised by SPC fisheries scientists
On Wednesday 2nd June 2021; a large-scale tuna sampling operation mobilised eight SPC fisheries science staff for an intense day cutting through 70 skipjack and yellowfin tuna from Papua New Guinea (PNG).
In early April 2021, SPC staff gave detailed…
Fisheries Story: Total participants receiving SPC Fisheries Training in the Pacific from 2016 - 2020
Fish is one of the main sources of income for Pacific countries, including for coastal communities. Capacity Building is therefore crucial to help them sustainably manage this valuable resource. From 2016 to 2020, fisheries officers, observers, NGOs,…
Fisheries Story: Charles Cuewapuru, a New Caledonian observer, just received training on advanced biological sampling from SPC
Charles Cuewapuru is an experienced New Caledonian observer, who has been working at sea on longliners since 2002. SPC’s FAME Division recently trained him in advanced biological sampling techniques. Since then, Charles has been collecting high quality…