The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) has established an Indigenous Committee to provide recommendations to US federal authorities on tuna and other seafood cultural fishing rights and related issues. Sub-panels for Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Mariana Islands, have been formed and will include members with expertise in traditional tuna and other fishing practices.

“With the growing emphasis on ecosystem-based management, traditional ecological knowledge, equity, and environmental justice, the Council created the new committee to ensure culturally relevant recommendations that include indigenous perspectives in the region’s decision-making,” said the Council in a press statement. WPRFMC already has a Fishery Rights of Indigenous People Standing Committee which was established in the 1980s, and the latest committee is expected to further accelerate the work towards creating a more inclusive space for these fishers.

Sierra Leone is the latest country to join the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI). The Minister of Fisheries, Princess Dugba, conveyed this by sending an official letter to FiTI’s top executive on September 20. Sierra Leone, which is in the Atlantic with tuna-rich waters, has artisanal and industrial vessels fishing in its territorial EEZ. Since 2010, distant water tuna boats have been increasing catches in this EEZ. The West African nation has agreements with several nations, including China. According to a report published by Mongabay in May 2024, IUU fishing incidents continued throughout 2023 in Sierra Leone’s waters despite authorities’ claims that the practice has largely been eliminated.

In the letter, the Minister stated that she understands the critical importance of making fisheries data and information publicly accessible. This will help to improve decision-making processes and enhance the trust of stakeholders including investors, vessel operations, the private sector, and local and international partners, read the FiTI statement.

Brazilian tuna brand Gomes da Costa, owned by Nauterra (formerly Grupo Calvo), recently released its latest ad promoting tuna in pasta. The makers have used a pinch of humor featuring the can as a character who is in love with pasta in the 30-second video. It intends to show the tasty combination of pasta and tuna with the Portuguese soundtrack ‘Só Você’ (Only You), famous from the 1980s, playing in the background.

An executive from Nauterra said that an internal survey carried out by the company on the eating habits of Brazilians revealed that pasta is present in nine out of every ten homes in the country. He said: “We were attentive to the market and identified the opportunity to promote this special, practical, and tasty combination between tuna and pasta,” reported Brazilian news sites. The company has roped in several celebrities to promote Gomes da Costa’s latest tuna and pasta combination campaign which will run until November.