Fiji, Nov. 26 -- The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is heading into a decisive week in Manila in December, with one of the region's most prominent tuna advocates warning that members are still avoiding the "hard truths" on monitoring and high-seas transshipment.

In an interview with PACNEWS, Sharks Pacific Policy Director Bubba Cook said he sees only limited movement on electronic monitoring and no guarantee of meaningful action on high-seas transshipment - one of the most politically charged issues before the Commission.

"I don't see 'concrete progress' occurring at this meeting with respect to electronic monitoring/observer coverage," Cook said.

"But I do see some modest steps forward with the agreement of a...