The 2nd meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee
provided the following summary on the status of south Pacific albacore:
“A stock assessment was undertaken during 2005 and is the first since 2003. An
examination of catch trends in 2005 indicated that total catches of albacore were
relatively stable over the period from 1960 to 1995, but that they have increased in
recent years. . The key conclusions of the stock assessment were similar to 2003, i.e.
that over fishing is not occurring (Fcurrent / FMSY <1) and the stock is not in an overfished
state (Bcurrent / BMSY >1). Overall, fishery impacts on the total biomass are
low (10%), although considerably higher impacts occur for the portion of the
population vulnerable to longline.
Current catch levels from the South Pacific albacore stock appear to be sustainable and
yield analyses suggest increases in fishing mortality and yields are possible. However,
given the age-specific mortality of the longline fleets, any significant increase in effort
would reduce CPUE to low levels with only moderate increases in yields. CPUE
reductions may be more severe in areas of locally concentrated fishing effort.
The South Pacific albacore assessment shows that current levels of catch and effort are
sustainable. While future increases in albacore catch are likely to be sustainable,
estimates of MSY are highly uncertain because of the extrapolation of catch and effort
well beyond any historical levels. Projections demonstrated that longline exploitable
biomass, and hence CPUE, would fall sharply if catch and effort were increased to MSY
levels. Therefore, the economic consequences of any such increases should be carefully
assessed beforehand.”
Therefore, the most recent assessment was undertaken in 2005 and covered the south Pacific stock.
The New Zealand catches represent 10% of the total. The stock is presently above the level necessary
to produce the maximum sustainable yield. Current catches from the stock are sustainable under
average recruitment conditions. Current catches will move the stock towards a size that will support
the maximum sustainable yield.