EVENTS: On Saturday; May 2nd; the global event to mark the World Tuna Day 2026 will focus on the sustainable management of tuna stocks, which are essential for food security and the global economy. With over 7 million metric tons of tuna and related species harvested yearly, this observance encourages actionable steps to address overfishing and promote sustainable practices within international legal frameworks like the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The day features events and initiatives at various levels to promote conservation, several Sessions for fishing communities and policymakers to adopt sustainable methods and reduce bycatch will be held. The Event is bringing together industry leaders, governments, and conservation groups to discuss solutions for sustainable fisheries in order to preserve Tuna Stocks for the Future. Register to participate!
Statement from the FFA Director-General of the Pacific forum on Worlrd Tuna Day 2026; May 2nd.
The annual World Tuna Day on 2 May, gives us a moment to reflect on its significance to us as Pacific people, whose lives and cultures revolve around the ocean. From our ocean to supermarket shelves around the world, tuna feeds millions of people and drives global seafood trade. For Pacific Island Countries and Territories, tuna is more than just a commodity that generates revenue – from time immemorial, it has been a cornerstone of food security and livelihoods.
This year’s theme, Advocating for Tuna Conservation, is a timely reminder of our responsibility to ensure sustainability for future generations. We owe it to our children and grandchildren, and for this to happen, we need to be more responsible, smart, and strategic in how we consume, how we fish, and how we understand our relationship with the ocean.
Conservation must take a multi-pronged approach and be integrated across stakeholders. For the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), this involves regional cooperation between countries and institutions. Our 17 Members are custodians of a vast stretch of the Pacific Ocean, with tuna export earnings exceeding US$1 billion annually in recent years, reflecting the significant economic value of the fishery. Government revenue from access licensing fees is around US$500 million per annum. This is a significant amount of wealth that flows into island economies to support jobs, public services, and the daily lives of communities across the region.
For the time being, according to scientific data, our tuna stocks remain healthy despite increasing pressure – but for how long? Skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore stocks – the four key commercial species, are still estimated to be in reasonable numbers. This is not accidental, but the result of decades of coordinated management, firm policies on fishing access, and collective enforcement efforts such as regional surveillance operations like Kurukuru, Rai Balang, Tui Moana, and Island Chief.
It is a major achievement, despite the challenges, as reflected in one of my earlier statements: “Together, we have achieved something exceptional in global fisheries management; this is not just a win for the Pacific, it is a milestone of global significance.” At a time when many fisheries around the world are under strain, this is no small feat. But this good work must continue.
However, there are challenges which still need to be addressed. For instance, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains one of the greatest threats to our tuna stocks. In 2016, it was estimated that more than US$150 million worth of tuna was being siphoned from Pacific economies through predatory and illegal fishing practices. Through strengthened surveillance, improved data systems, and closer cooperation between fisheries agencies, customs, police, and other partners, these losses were reduced by 72 percent by 2021, to approximately US$43.18 million. This demonstrates that our surveillance efforts, as part of broader regional cooperation, are delivering results.
Another challenge we are facing at the moment is climate change, which is driving shifts in ocean conditions and, in turn, impacting tuna stocks. This will no doubt test the resilience of management systems that have taken years to build. Conservation strategies, in this context, need to be adaptive and innovative as climatic and oceanic conditions continue to change. Beyond sustainability, a key part of what comes next is equity – who benefits from the tuna caught in Pacific waters?
At present, only a small share – around 15 percent of that tuna is processed within the region. Most of it leaves in raw form, and with it, much of the potential value. For Pacific Island countries, closing that gap is critical. More onshore processing means more jobs, more skills, and more income staying within local economies.
This is where initiatives like the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) can be effective. The idea is to connect the strengths of different countries, whether it is infrastructure, processing capacity, fuel supply, or access to fish, to build regional value chains that keep more benefits at home. It is about shifting from simply managing a resource to actively shaping how that resource supports development.
The ENBi vision aligns closely with the broader ambitions of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent – a future where the region is not only sustainable, but also economically resilient and secure. Initiatives like the ENBi point to what a more integrated regional future could look like.
World Tuna Day is also a reminder that the Pacific cannot manage its tuna resources on its own. International frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and regional fisheries agreements, play a critical role in setting the rules for sustainable fishing. Global cooperation matters, because tuna is a shared resource and its future depends on collective responsibility.
The Pacific has shown that managing tuna well is within the realm of possibility. It can be managed sustainably when countries work together. Healthy stocks, reduced illegal fishing, and strong regional cooperation are achievements worth recognizing and sustaining. The next step is to deepen that cooperation, adapt to new pressures, and ensure that these gains are not only maintained but strengthened over time.
Conservation requires a multi-dimensional and continually evolving approach, not a one-off effort. It must be a regional effort, involving the marshalling of technical, economic, and political resources to protect our tuna stocks and ensure that the benefits are shared more equitably. This is what World Tuna Day means. So, let us conserve, let us protect, and let us ensure the sustainability of our tuna resources for the future of our Pacific and generations to come.
From the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, we wish everyone a Happy World Tuna Day.
FFA Director-General, Noan David Pakop.
COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Some Educational materials and local programs aimed at informing people about responsible consumption are available.
PUBLICATIONS: Looking to buy sustainable tuna? Here's your complete guide on what to look for, what to avoid, and where to find sustainable tuna while shopping. Explore the Sustainable Tuna Guide!
CONFERENCES, WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS:
