The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is an international organization established to ensure the effective long-term conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks, such as tunas, in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). The commission is the regional management body responsible for overseeing the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources in this vast area, covering approximately 20% of the Earth's surface.
The WCPFC was established in 2004 through an international treaty known as the Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of member countries, territories, and organizations with a stake in the WCPO's fisheries industry, including both fishing nations and those with interests in fishery resources or markets.
The primary goal of the WCPFC is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks, with an emphasis on maintaining their populations at levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yield. To achieve this, the commission manages key aspects of fisheries, including monitoring and control of fishing activities, conservation and management measures, research and data collection, and cooperation among member countries.
The WCPFC employs a science-based approach in developing conservation and management measures to address issues such as overfishing, bycatch, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and habitat destruction. It works to enhance transparency and compliance through the effective monitoring, control, and surveillance of fishing activities in the WCPO.
Overall, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and long-term viability of fisheries resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, thus benefiting both the region's economies and the global fishing industry.
