Strengthening El Niño Impacts Pacific Tuna Fisheries and Island Rainfall

A strengthening El Niño is affecting tuna distribution and fishing activity across the Pacific through 2026 and into 2027, according to reports from pina.com.fj. The Pacific Community warned that the event could bring reduced rainfall to Palau, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Niue, southern Cook Islands, Tonga, and Palau. Conversely, Kiribati, Tokelau, and parts of Tuvalu could face flooding and warmer seas.

The changing ocean conditions and rising sea surface temperatures are creating challenges for fisheries management and the economies of island nations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated that El Niño is present, with sea surface temperatures above average across the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific.