WCPFC Northern Committee Members Agree on Swordfish Harvest Strategy

The Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Northern Committee met on Sept 2 and 3 in Seattle Washington, USA. On the agenda was a proposal by the US Delegation “NC15-DP-14” to adopt a harvest strategy for North Pacific Ocean swordfish.

Although a full quorum was not reached, and the final adoption must come at the WCPFC annual meeting this December in Port Moresby, New Guinea, the members present at the Seattle meeting agreed on moving forward with a Conservation Management Measure (CCM) as bellow, from the WCPFC Northern Committee, 15th Regular Session Report:

“37.     With these changes NC15 recommends that the Commission adopt the Harvest Strategy for North Pacific Swordfish Fisheries”

Sea Delight has been a strong advocate for swordfish management guidance from WCPFC. Sea Delight representative, Stephen Fisher, attended the WCPFC annual meeting in December 2019, and placed a request for same on the official record of the meeting and presented a letter from concerned stakeholders with the same message to the Northern Committee meeting in Seattle. 

Sea Delight’s Stephen Fisher petitions WCPFC to establish a Harvest Strategy for Northern Pacific Swordfish at the WCPFC Annual Meeting in December 2018 in Honolulu Hawaii, USA

 A harvest strategy from WCPFC will allow fishery managers throughout the region to build sustainable swordfish fisheries and support the coastal communities that derive livelihood from them.

Sea Delight will again petition WCPFC to complete the CCM on North Pacific swordfish at the next annual meeting in. If you or your organization would like to support the effort please contact Sea Delight directly.

Sustainable swordfish will benefit all stakeholders and support fishing communities

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