An Analysis of Fishery Management and Compliance Mechanisms for South Pacific Albacore

South Pacific albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is a principal target species of China's tuna longline fishery in the South Pacific Ocean. In 2024, the Chinese longline fleet caught approximately 29 732 t of South Pacific albacore in the southern WCPFC Convention Area, accounting for approximately 40% of the area's total South Pacific albacore longline catch and ranking first among fishing participants. Based on data from the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), this study examines the current status of the fishery, temporal changes in albacore catches by major fishing participants, and China's compliance with relevant conservation and management measures. It further reviews the evolution and current status of conservation and management measures for South Pacific albacore, analyzes major governance challenges in the WCPFC-Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) overlap area, and identifies the key issues in quota allocation negotiations, particularly the allocation of fishing opportunities between exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and the high seas. On this basis, the study assesses the potential risks facing China's tuna longline fleet in future multilateral quota negotiations and explores possible directions for the development of EEZ-high seas quota allocation arrangements. The findings are intended to provide a scientific basis and policy recommendations for safeguarding China's legitimate fishing interests and promoting the sustainable development of its South Pacific albacore fishery.