Pacific Island countries are strengthening efforts to prepare for the growing impacts of climate change on tuna fisheries, with a new climate warning system helping governments assess risks to economies, food security and livelihoods as tuna stocks increasingly move beyond national waters.

Officials from across the region have welcomed the development of an Advanced Warning System (AWS), designed to help countries better understand and respond to climate-driven changes in tuna distribution.

The system is being developed under the Green Climate Fund-funded Regional Tuna Program (GCF-FP259), a seven-year initiative running from 2025 to 2031 that supports Pacific nations in adapting to the impacts of climate change on tuna fisheries.

The program is led by the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and other regional partners.

Preliminary outputs from the warning system were presented during the 142nd Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee in Wellington, New Zealand, this month.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fisheries Division at Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Roseti Imo, said closer collaboration between fisheries experts and climate scientists was essential as countries faced increasing climate challenges.

"We need to ensure there is a shared understanding of what climate change means for our fisheries resources and for the livelihoods that depend on them," Dr Imo said.

Early findings reinforce concerns that skipjack tuna, the foundation of the world's largest tuna fishery and a major source of revenue for many Pacific governments, are expected to increasingly move from Pacific Island exclusive economic zones into the high seas as ocean temperatures rise.

The shift could have significant economic consequences for Pacific countries that rely on tuna fisheries to fund public services, including education, healthcare and infrastructure, while also supporting food security and livelihoods in coastal communities.

Director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, Glen Joseph, said the AWS was already proving valuable in helping countries understand both current and future climate-related impacts.

"This tool is critical not only for evaluating adaptation options, but also for providing the evidence countries need to access climate finance," Mr Joseph said.

He said the system would strengthen countries' ability to present evidence-based cases to international funding bodies as they seek support for climate adaptation measures.

Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and senior adviser for Niue, Dr Josie Tamate, said regional cooperation would remain critical as development of the system continued.

"There has been encouraging early progress, but there is still much work ahead to ensure these tools can support both regional and national decision-making," Dr Tamate said.

FFA Director-General Noan Pakop said Pacific Island countries had a long history of working together to sustainably manage tuna resources and would need continued access to robust science as climate change altered ocean conditions.

"Pacific Island countries have spent decades working together to sustainably manage the world's largest tuna fishery. As climate change continues to alter ocean conditions and influence the movement of tuna stocks, our members need the best available science and tools to prepare for what lies ahead," Mr Pakop said.

"The Green Climate Fund Regional Tuna Program is an important investment in the resilience of Pacific communities and economies, supporting stronger climate intelligence, improved adaptation planning and greater food security.

"The Advanced Warning System will help countries better understand future risks and opportunities, ensuring decisions are informed by robust scientific evidence and that the benefits from tuna continue to flow to Pacific people."

Early development of the system was supported by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Climate Science for Ensuring Pacific Tuna Access initiative, which helped SPC and FFA establish groundwork before approval of the Green Climate Fund program.

As Pacific countries prepare for future international climate negotiations, officials say the region's message is becoming increasingly clear: climate change is no longer a future threat to Pacific tuna fisheries but a present reality already affecting communities, economies and the sustainability of one of the region's most important resources.