The rejuvenation of Pacific bluefin tuna has surpassed all expectations, achieving a significant milestone in the recovery of the species. International organizations from across the Pacific came together and successfully managed to reverse decades of overfishing, ensuring the survival of this tuna species.
The recent stock assessment conducted by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-Like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) confirmed the Pacific bluefin tuna population has exceeded the second rebuilding target in 2021. With continued management measures in place, the population is projected to continue growing, paving the way for increased harvests in the future.
Dr. Huihua Lee, a research mathematical statistician at NOAA Fisheries, highlighted the coordinated scientific efforts undertaken by member countries through the ISC, acknowledging the resilience of the Pacific bluefin tuna and how high-quality data and a deep understanding of the species’ biology were able to help provide accurate predictions of future trends.
With U.S. commercial fishers harvesting 368 metric tons of Pacific bluefin tuna in 2022, (~10% of the total landings), management of Pacific bluefin tuna necessitates significant international cooperation and internal coordination within NOAA Fisheries. The Southwest Fisheries Science Center contributes vital scientific analyses to the ISC stock assessment, while the West Coast Region and the Pacific Islands Regional Office collaborate on stock management both domestically and internationally.
The initial decline in the Pacific bluefin tuna population prompted efforts to rebuild the stock, culminating in a collaborative approach by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). These two commissions adopted conservation and management measures based on scientific data provided by the ISC, resulting in rapid recovery and growth of the species.
The upcoming meeting of the Joint IATTC-WCPFC Northern Committee Working Group aims to recommend conservation and management measures for the Pacific bluefin tuna for 2025 and beyond. The development of a long-term harvest strategy will be crucial in ensuring the sustainable management of the species, incorporating input from various stakeholders.
