ISSF’s Position Statement for the WCPFC Commission meeting (Port Moresby, PNG, December 5-11) calls for urgent action on sharks, including a requirement for sharks to be landed with fins naturally attached (still not a requirement for MSC certification), and the adoption of harvest control rules for tunas. The adoption of harvest control rules and harvest strategy are key Principal 1 conditions for MSC certified tuna fisheries. For Pacific tuna stocks in the WCPFC and IATTC Convention Areas, this means that:
- If harvest control rules are not adopted by 2021 for southern albacore and by 2023 for northern albacore, current MSC certifications for these stocks will be suspended;
- If a harvest strategy is not in place by 2021 for western Pacific skipjack, current MSC certification for this stock will be suspended; and
- If a harvest control rule is not adopted by 2021 for western Pacific yellowfin, current MSC certifications for this stock will be suspended.
