WWF guns for regional sustainability for yellowfin tuna stocks in the West and Central Pacific
February 24, 2021
A boat sets sail off the coasts of Lagonoy Gulf. On board are the Sustainable Tuna Partnership projects’ partner yellowfin tuna fishers. The project has embarked on its latest endeavor this February.
Photograph © WWF-Philippines
The WWF Network goes regional in its effort to safeguard yellowfin tuna stocks through its latest project.
Launched this February, the Sustainable Tuna Partnership 2 project will be lobbying for improved yellowfin tuna fishery management across the Western Central Pacific. Countries involved in the effort include China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Germany.
The Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is a region that encompasses Asian and Micronesian nations located in or along the Pacific. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is a trans-national organization that oversees the management of fishery resources in the region.
Fishers across the WCPO share the same stock of yellowfin tuna. The Philippines is among the countries that rely on this stock, with thousands of Filipino fishers depending on yellowfin tuna for their livelihoods.
Should the shared tuna stock be damaged or depleted, many nations in the WCPO will be adversely affected.
A multinational team made up of representatives from across the tuna supply chain makes up the STP 2 team as they push for the sustainability of yellowfin stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Photograph © WWF-Philippines
A multinational approach is needed to safeguard the WCPO yellowfin tuna stock. By working with neighboring countries in the region, WWF-Philippines hopes to ensure the stocks’ sustainability.
“Fish recognize no geopolitical boundaries. We need regional, cross-boundary efforts if we wish to arrive at true sustainability for our fisheries,” said STP 2 Project Manager Joann Binondo.
The new project comes at the conclusion of WWF-Philippines’ Sustainable Tuna Partnership project. Similar in name, the project sought to uplift the livelihoods of Filipino handline tuna fishers.
Through the STP project, WWF-Philippines helped fishers secure certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in a historic first for handline fishers in the Philippines. MSC Certification recognizes fisheries that are working towards environmental sustainability while opening small-scale fishers to wider markets.
The STP 2 team advocates both for the livelihoods of small-scale tuna fishers, as well as the conservation of marine resources in the WCPO.
Photograph © WWF-Philippines
STP 2 will continue supporting local handline fishers while lobbying for better management of the WCPO yellowfin tuna stock.
“Protecting our shared seascape is what will uplift everyone’s livelihoods well into the future, from our small-scale fishers to the biggest companies. We need to safeguard our shared resources,” added Binondo.
STP 2 will run from 2022-2024.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Joann Binondo
Overall Project Manager
Sustainable Tuna Partnership (STP)
jbinondo@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Assistant Manager | External Communications and Ambassador Programs
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
