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Tuna Blueprint a Vision for Recapturing the Wealth of Tuna Protecting Habitats Critical to Tuna in the Coral Triangle

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Tuna Blueprint a Vision for Recapturing the Wealth of Tuna Protecting Habitats Critical to Tuna in the Coral Triangle Tuna Blueprint A Vision for Recapturing the Wealth of Tuna Protecting habitats critical to tuna in the Coral Triangle © JÜRGEN FREUND / WWF Funae fishermen catching skipjack tuna A Tuna Nursery near Manado Tua using anchovies as live bait. Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Tuna fisheries are the wealth of the Coral Triangle region (composed of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste). DECLINE OF SPAWNING BIOMASS The collective tuna catch from the Western and Central Pacific Ocean reached an OF TUNA IN WEST PACIFIC EAST historic level of 1 million tonnes in 2013 , with a market value of almost US$2 billion. ASIAN SEAS The location of the Coral Triangle, a region of extraordinary biodiversity and great economic value between the Pacific and Indian oceans, makes it an ideal spawning Bigeye Biological 1.0 Reference and nursery area for three principal tropical tuna species—skipjack, yellowfin, and Limits 0.8 bigeye—as well as for temperate species such as the Pacific and southern bluefin tuna 0.6 and albacore. 0.4 0.2 Tuna Management Problems 0.0 ‘50 ‘60 ‘70 ‘80 ‘90 ‘00 ‘10 Year Tuna fisheries are in crisis. The current Yellowfin management of tuna is not effective 1.0 enough to reverse the trend of tuna To help reverse the 0.8 population decline. The Western and 0.6 Central Pacific Fisheries Commission declining trend in 0.4 (WCPFC) needs a stronger suite of tuna populations, 0.2 conservation measures, particularly for WWF is advocating a 0.0 reducing fishing mortality of juvenile ‘50 ‘60 ‘70 ‘80 ‘90 ‘00 ‘10 new Tuna Blueprint Year tuna, that follows scientific advice. Skipjack that pursues a more Depletion of Spawning Biomass Target Reference A huge portion of the convention area 1.0 Point (TRP) multi-disciplinary 0.8 of the WCPFC is within the exclusive 0.6 economic zones and territorial waters approach to reinforce 0.4 of coastal states, making tuna fisheries current fisheries- 0.2 an important but highly political arena. based conservation 0.0 This is the main reason for the weak measures. ‘70 ‘80 ‘90 ‘00 ‘10 Year management of tuna and the inability of Source: Depletion of Tuna Stocks in the WCPFC to enact appropriate measures as West Pacific East Asia Region. SPC 2015 recommended by science. A Blueprint for Success A ‘Big Win’ This Tuna Blueprint is designed to restore the health of WWF is calling for the legal protection of four large Depending on how big an area the respective tuna populations through the protection of areas critical offshore areas, three of which are transboundary. The governments will allow to be protected, the to the successful completion of the tuna life cycle. Within plan is to protect these very important spawning areas combined area could reach 3 million km2 —a the Coral Triangle, the protection of marine areas for from fishing; protect the spawning population during the significantly large area to serve as safe haven for conservation falls on non-fisheries agencies, usually reproductive season; and allow juveniles to grow, and tuna to reproduce without the risk of being caught. environment agencies—an approach that weakens the protect them as they move towards their feeding grounds. political influence of the fishing sector. The areas below are not fixed as other places in the Coral Achieving protection will mean obtaining Triangle are still under consideration. commitments from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, PNG, Timor Leste, Taiwan and These four critical areas include: Australia. Implementation of the Tuna blueprint would help these countries meet commitments under international agreements such as the The only known spawning area of Thunnus orientalis Convention on Biodiversity; Regional Fisheries or Pacific Bluefin tuna that straddles the northeastern Management Organisations and the 2014 World EEZ of the Philippines, Taiwan, and territorial waters Parks Congress. of Japan. The approximate combined size of the spawning area is 1.8 million km2. © JÜRGEN FREUND / WWF A fisherman pulling up a newly caught yellowfin tuna. Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Sulawesi Sea peace park, a swath of waters along the borders of Indonesia and the Philippines, to be declared off-limits to fishing. The aim is to provide ample space for the successful Steps to Achieve Success reproduction of bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna, reduce fishing mortality of juvenile tuna, and allow free movement of juvenile tuna towards their feeding grounds in the Western and Central STEP 01 Develop a science-based, compelling argument Pacific Ocean. Prove that protecting these critical habitats will contribute to improving the population of tuna in fishing grounds. STEP 02 Develop a value proposition In monetary terms, show how habitat protection translates to asset buildup of the natural capital and potential gains in the medium to long term. The Banda Sea of Indonesia, another large A powerful communications advocacy effort will use these two arguments to raise awareness marine ecosystem within the archipelagic waters of the issues, raise funds, and rally governments and the private sector to fully engage in the of Indonesia believed to be a major spawning process. The only known spawning area of Thunnus area of the overfished bigeye tuna, Thunnus maccoyi or the Southern bluefin tuna, obesus. Countries such as Papua New Guinea located mainly in the EEZ of Indonesia and and Timor Leste could potentially support partly in Australia and Timor Leste. Indonesia in this endeavour. STEP 03 Build an innovative financing mechanism This will provide incentives to the affected stakeholders and catalyze Tuna Blueprint Milestones FY17 - FY25 their participation in the process of declaration. PHILIPPINES- INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, TAIWAN & PHILIPPINES TIMOR LESTE & INDONESIA STEP 04 Convince, engage, and work with individual governments (PBFT) (PEACE PARK) (Southern Bluefin Tuna spawning area) Go through the legal process of scoping, stakeholder mapping, and consultations. FY18 - FY25 Transboundary FY17 - FY20 agreement among countries INDONESIA Solicit international and global political support to get the MMA (Banda Sea) STEP 05 in at least one This is to encourage governments and convince skeptics of the merit of getting critical habitats country. FY18 - FY25 of tuna protected, and to rally support for a transboundary cooperation between countries. FY15 - FY20 Investing in the Tuna Blueprint will bring significant socio- economic benefits, with estimates of USD1.73 billion over 10 years from reducing juvenile tuna catch by just 50% in the Philippines alone. 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 A VISION FOR RECAPTURING THE WEALTH OF TUNA A VISION FOR RECAPTURING THE WEALTH Challenges © JÜRGEN FREUND / WWF The process towards legal protection will Despite the challenges, including finding Trawler fishermen sorting fish and crustacean brought up by be a challenging one, with expected huge innovative new financing mechanisms, a trawler in Kudat Bay, Sabah, resistance from the fishing sector and local WWF is relying on its years of experience Malaysia. government units where food security in the field, solid relationships with and livelihood may be impacted in the stakeholders, and wide network of experts short term. With sustainable livelihoods in conservation, fisheries management, and at the core of WWF’s work in the Coral government to see this endeavour through— Triangle, the Tuna Blueprint will emphasize and to secure the future of one of the Coral effective management to strike a balance Triangle’s most important marine species. between long-term protection and short- term livelihoods and sustenance. Targeted messaging will be delivered to relevant audiences, and champions will be utilized to promote the Tuna Blueprint. For more information WWF.PANDA.ORG/CORALTRIANGLE Dr Jose Ingles Jackie Thomas Coordinator Fishery Improvement Leader Projects, Policy WWF in the Coral Triangle WWF in the Coral Triangle Tel: +679 3315533 ext. 122 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Why are we here To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. panda.org/coraltriangle © 1986 Panda symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark. WWF, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. +41 22 364 9111 Fax +41 22 364 0332. For contact details and further information, please visit our international website at www.panda.org.
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