The eight PNA parties have already developed from small island countries to large ocean nations, and now it is time to become “smart ocean” states, stresses PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru. The basis of...
Fishing
PAFCO: Bumble Bee Contract Renewed, Supply Still A Challenge
Fiji’s main tuna plant, Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO), has renewed its supply agreement with US giant Bumble Bee, ensuring cooperation for the next 10 years. Although the deal is good news...
ISSF Still Questions WCPFC’s Green Rating On Bigeye
Around 78 percent of the total 2016 global tuna catch came from stocks rated healthy, RFMO assessments have shown, which is now being reflected in ISSF’s latest Status of the Stocks report....
Iron Lady Vows To Stay Only If Foreign Vessel Ban Remains
Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia’s Fisheries Minister has vowed she will serve a second term if the President Joko Widodo wins the re-election next year, despite growing conflicts over her IUU...
Is The US Opening Its Doors To Illegally Caught Bonito?
The US’ Seafood Importing Monitoring Program (SIMP) was implemented at the beginning of this year with the aim to prevent illegally caught seafood from entering the US market. While importers...
Industry Gets It Right On Skipjack Price Rise
The latest deals concluded in Bangkok have shown a slight increase in skipjack prices, which the majority of Atuna readers predicted, despite major analysts expecting further decline. During...
The End Of Blue Boat Intrusions?
There have been far less cases of Vietnamese vessels – known as blue boats – fishing unlawfully in foreign waters in recent months, according to the nation’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural...
Duterte Orders Navy To Open Fire At IUU Vessels
President Rodrigo Duterte has told the Filipino navy to shoot at foreign vessels suspected of illegally fishing in the country’s waters. The government has shown concern towards foreign ships...
Confident Thailand Gears Up For April EU Inspection
EU officials will visit Thailand next month to again review the efforts made by the government in fighting illegal fishing, and living up to EU regulations. Thai representatives are confident...
Venezuela Gets Domestic Catch To Help Struggling Processors
Around 600 tons of tuna have been landed at the Port of Cumana, Sucre state. This follows an agreement made between boatowners and the national government to aid a struggling processing...
Fiji Govt. Questions Benefit Of Joining PNA
Despite a Fijian politician suggesting the country should explore joining the eight nations of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), a representative from the Ministry of Fisheries tells...
China Cracks Down On Its Own IUU Vessels
The Chinese government has launched a major crackdown regarding domestic fishing companies that are involved in illegal fishing activities in foreign waters. It has been reported 78 firms will...
Mexican Fleet Talks MSC: Has It Replaced Dolphin Safe?
Despite having faced intense criticism over its dolphin-associated practices, the Mexican fleet will continue setting on dolphins, believing it is one of the most ecologically selective...
Spanish Fleet Pumps More Millions Into Worldwide Tuna FIP
The representative group of the Spanish tuna purse seiner fleet will invest an additional EUR 3 million (USD 3.7 million) into its global Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) this year, which...
Chinese Tuna Fishing Firms Slapped With Hefty Fines
The government of Zanzibar has issued TZS 19 billion (USD 8.5 million) worth of fines to tuna vessels for violating their licensing terms. The owning companies, including major Chinese tuna...
MSC Takes Steps On Labor Standards But Admits Complexity
The Marine Stewardship Council has proposed new labor requirements for MSC certified fisheries, part of which it expects to implement in September this year. This comes after holding...
Vietnamese Processors Push Govt To Take Further IUU Action
Vietnamese processors have shown they are determined to have the yellow card warning from the European Commission removed. Many are now urging the government to work with them to review...
MSC Adjudication Big Win To PNA Fishery
After an extensive process and adjudication, the PNA free-school skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery has again been recommended for MSC recertification, this time by the Independent...
EU IUU Cards Can Be “Direct & Brutal”, But They Work
The green, yellow and red carding system used by the EU in relation to IUU concerns, can be “direct and brutal”, but it works, according to Stefaan Depypere, DG MARE’s Director for...
The End Of The Road For Mozambique’s EMATUM?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects that Mozambique will not be able to pay back its USD 2 billion debts before 2023. In order to be able to make the payments, IMF recommends that...