The Thai government has been called on by a group of 28 NGOs to ignore attempts to derail the ratification of the international Work in Fishing Convention, which would enhance the protection...
Fishing
Hurricane Forces US Longliners To Abandon Port
A hurricane that is set to hit the islands of Hawaii has caused the Honolulu Harbor, the largest port in Hawaii, to be closed until it passes. All vessels, including the US longliners that...
IN BRIEF: Thai Union Donates To Myanmar Flood Victims
The largest tuna processor, Thai Union, has donated 400 emergency relief packs to flood victims in Myanmar. The donation was sent through non-profit organizations in Thailand including Migrant...
Strong South American Growth Drives Jealsa’s Sales
Spanish canned tuna firm Jealsa reported better-than-expected sales for 2017, driven by an improvement in its canned seafood business of which tuna is a major product. The Boiro-based company...
“Failure To Cut EPO Capacity Will Wipe Out All Progress”
The WWF is strongly urging the IATTC to implement a measure to cut purse seine fleet capacity at this year’s annual meeting. The NGO has said the failure to address the problem will “wipe out...
Indonesia Sinks 100+ IUU Vessels In 1 Day Spree
The Indonesian government sank as many as 125 mostly foreign vessels in one day after finding them fishing illegally in the country’s waters. The spree marked the latest efforts in the...
RFMOs Eye Third Tuna Catch Documentation Scheme
The WCPFC and IATTC have agreed to work together to introduce the third catch documentation scheme (CDS) in the tuna industry. In an effort to strictly manage the resource, Pacific bluefin...
Arson Suspected In French Seiner Fire
A small-scale French flagged purse seiner moored at the Aspirant-Herber wharf in Sete, France, caught fire in the early hours of August 16 following a small explosion. The explosion is alleged...
Longliners: A Liability For The Tuna Industry?
Longlining makes up a smaller part of the global tuna catch, in comparison to purse seiners, with the fleet’s landings mainly used for frozen tuna products. Yet, longline vessels do still have...
Industry Wants EPO Purse Seine Fleet Reduction
The majority of industry members have voted in favor of a fleet capacity reduction in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This is something proposed by WWF US, following concerns about the increased...
IN BRIEF: Tuna Fisherman Rescued After Falling Overboard
After drifting into high seas from British Gibraltar territorial waters, a fisherman was finally rescued after four hours. The fisherman, Shawn Ramos, fell off his boat after being hit by a...
TU Video Raises Awareness Of “Growing” Plastic Pollution
The Thailand-based processing giant Thai Union has released a video highlighting what it describes as a “growing problem of ocean plastic and marine debris”. The firm focuses on Thailand’s...
Ecuador Starts National FAD Management
Ecuador has released its management plan on FADs, with the main goal being “strengthening the sustainable management and responsible use of aggregating devices in tuna fisheries with purse...
Can High Seas Fisheries Play A Role In Food Security?
With the rate of the global population increase far outpacing that of food production, food security has become a major concern. As policymakers look at the ways to address the food security...
How Are Seiners Fishing Amid The WCPO FAD Bans?
According to vessel tracking data, some purse seine vessels have switched up their fishing activity since FAD bans in both the WCPO high seas and EEZs started in July. With seiners only...
Nauru Starts PS Joint Venture With Silla
One of the PNA nations, Nauru, now has two purse seiners that are fishing in the WCPO carrying the Pacific Island nation’s flag. These vessels are the result of a joint venture agreement...
New PNG Wharf 1st Sign Of Long-Awaited Tuna Hub?
A new fishing wharf constructed outside of the main port of Madang in PNG is being deemed as the first step towards the government’s multi-million dollar Pacific Marine Industry Zone (PMIZ),...
IN BRIEF: Tunacons Signs MoU With Panama Authority
The alliance of five purse seine firms, Tunacons, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP). Since there are Panamanian flagged...
IN BRIEF: Ireland Issues Illegal Catch Warning
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in Ireland has issued a warning about catching bluefin tuna – an act that is illegal in Ireland. This is after a privately owned pleasure boat was found...
IATTC Urged To Improve “Paltry” Observer Requirements
The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and NGO WWF have called for increased observer coverage for the EPO longline fleet. ISSF also asks the IATTC to develop electronic...