New Stock Assessments for Bigeye & Yellowfin Tuna

he 16th Science Committee (SC16) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC, <>) met virtually in August 2020 to review science and conservation issues related to tuna, billfish, sharks and other species caught in tuna fisheries. The WCPFC is a regional fishery management organization (RFMO) that manages 60 percent of the world’s tuna supply, making it the largest tuna RFMO. Hawai‘i’s most important tuna species — bigeye and yellowfin ‘ahi — are managed by the WCPFC. The Hawai‘i longline fisheries operate primarily in waters under the responsibility of the WCPFC (west of 150° W), but some Hawai‘i longline vessels fish east of 150°