Abstract:In order to understand the major tuna catches in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, a retrospective analysis was conducted to clarify the spatial and temporal variations in the major tuna catches in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean by collecting data on tuna fisheries provided by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The results show that the changes in the annual production of major tunas in the Western and Central Pacific can be divided into three periods, including the fishery start-up period, when the fishing range was small, longline fishing was dominant, and the production was concentrated in the near-shore high-yield area, and the spatial scope of pelagic fishing was restricted; the fishery expansion period, when purse-seine fishing was introduced, which led to the expansion of the fishing range to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and to deeper and more distant waters; and the fishery stabilization period, when the fishing technology was modernized, purse-seine fishing dominated, and high-yield fishing grounds were distributed. During the period of fishery stabilization, the fishing technology was modernized and dominated by purse-seine fishing, the distribution of high-yield fishing grounds was clear, and the fishing range tended to be fixed. The study also focuses on analyzing the fishery production, major species caught, spatial and temporal distribution of operations, and trends in production in the major Western and Central Pacific tuna-producing countries and regions (Japan, Korea, Taiwan Province of China, Papua New Guinea, the United States, and Chinese mainland), and discusses the possible impacts of multiple factors, including natural, economic and policy factors, on tuna production. This study may provide a basis for the scientific management and conservation of tuna resources, and provide a reference for the promotion of marine biodiversity and the sustainable management of global tuna resources.