Pacific tuna under threat [1]
Monday, December 4, 2017 - 22:13. Updated on Monday, December 4, 2017 - 22:15.
Pacific tuna is under threat from the world’s largest fishing nations including China, Japan and South Korea, warned Fiji’s Fisheries Minister, at the 14th Tuna Commission Meeting at Pasay City in the Phillippines, which began on December 3.
Commander Semi Koroilavesau also blamed the inaction of the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission to control overfishing in the high seas and low catches within regional fisheries zones.
“We do not want to see this continue as our fishery may collapse under the pressure that is being forcefully exerted upon us by distant water fishing nations.”
He said the need to control fishing in the high seas had not been successfully addressed by the Commission.
For several years the Pacific has tried to control fishing in the region through sustainable fisheries measures, which he believed had been treated with scepticism and sometimes outright contempt by China and Japan.
The Tuna Commission makes its decision by consensus among members so is easily deadlocked by recalcitrant fishing nations.
Meanwhile, Forum Fisheries Agency Director-General, James Movick said there was a need for the region to confront distant water fishing nations.
“They must reconcile their narrow fishing interests with their broader role as key strategic and development partners of this region.”
Experts have consistently warned the Pacific of a risk of over fishing but individual countries have not been able to agree on effective management measures of the southern albacore fishery.
He said their lack of unity and resolve has allowed distant water fishing nations to expand their own fisheries and to favour their own fleets.
Management
Pacific nations and fishing powers like Europe, China and the United States are present at the regular session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, tasked to set the rules for the world's biggest fishery. There are around 700 delegates from 30 countries including commission members and stakeholders in the global fishing industry, at the five-day meeting.
The commission is the international body that governs fishing activity particularly for highly migratory tuna with its annual meetings aimed to develop conservation and management measures for tuna stock.
Tonga a member of the commission is being represented by Fisheries CEO, Dr. Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi.
- PACMAS