Being hailed as some of the best news to have come out of a slow progress WCPFC meeting, a measure was adopted to see improved safety for fisheries observers working onboard tuna vessels in...
Fishing
Transparency On Licensing Blocked At WCPFC
For what is said to be the fifth time in a row, an EU proposal for more transparency in regards to fishing licensing agreements in the WCPO, has faced substantial opposition at this week’s...
Spain Stands Out For IUU Battling Efforts
Spain has done particularly well in fighting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU), exceeding the efforts of other EU member states, according to a recent report. A study...
French Seiners Lose Protection Against Pirates
The French Navy will no longer provide protection to the nation’s tuna vessels that are operating in the Indian Ocean, with the decreasing rates of piracy cited as contributing to the...
US Congress Pushed To Change Foreign Crew Law
US Congress has been urged to change immigration law in order to improve the conditions for the foreign fishermen that work within Hawaii’s tuna longline fleet, after speakers at a...
Return To Profit Drives Sapmer Share Surge
A return to profitability has spurred a sharp strengthening in investor confidence, as Sapmer’s stock climbs to two year highs, driven by a bullish hike in mid-October. In just nine days,...
“WCPFC Needs To Live Up To Mandate”
New approaches are being taken to try and persuade the WCPFC to make a change and live up to its mandate, with strong concerns that it will fail this year to take necessary steps to protect...
EU/Cook Islands 7000 Ton Deal: FINALIZED
The EU has announced that the debated purse seiner deal with the Cook Islands has now been finalized, giving the Union a stronger foothold in the Pacific region. All elements of the...
Vietnam Wants Hotline On Pirate “Blue Boats”
In response to reports that “blue boats” from Vietnam are illegally fishing in Pacific island waters, the Asian nation has suggested the establishment of a hotline between parties, so that...
“Disproportionate Burden” Strong Theme Of First Days
Concern is being aired that developed countries are making proposals without the consultation of smaller developing states, which Pacific island nations believe causes disproportionate burden....
Vanuatu Longliner Avoids IUU Blacklist
A Vanuatu-flagged tuna longliner accused of IUU fishing in the Cooks Islands’ EEZ has escaped a potential WCPFC blacklisting after the owner agreed to pay a fine. The alleged incursion of the...
An End To “Inadequate” Management Measures?
The annual WCPFC meeting is taking place in Fiji this week, and the protection of declining tuna stocks and sustainable fishing are high up on the list of topics that NGOs and the Commission...
PREDICTION: WCPFC Will Fail To Adopt HCRs
We would like to have your view this week on the following prediction: WCPFC WILL AGAIN FAIL TO ADOPT HCRs Let us know how you feel about the topic and have your say the next time you visit...
Where Did Lower Effort Leave WCPO Purse Seine Catch?
After three years of climbing, the total purse seine tuna catch in the WCPO dropped substantially in 2015, down to the fifth highest result on record. A significant reduction in effort is the...
94% Of Atuna Readers: Stricter Sanctions Needed
Last week we wanted to know your opinion on the current sanctions that are in place for violating fleets, asking in our latest poll if you agreed or disagreed with the following standpoint:...
SKJ Price: Shift In The Post-FAD Ban Trend
The usual trend in the Bangkok skipjack price following the WCPO FAD ban has not prevailed, as the market remains steady for now. The general market mood is that this is a satisfactory level...
Observers Face More Risks With Bigger Role
Pacific nations will put the safety of observers high on their list of priorities for the 13th Session of the WCPFC, which began this Monday in Fiji, as the growing responsibility within their...
WCPFC Chair: “Goals Need To Be Realistic”
The chair of the WCPFC, Rhea Moss-Christian, has stated that the Commission needs to set realistic goals and be selective about which issues it can tackle. WCPFC’s annual meeting is being held...
US Tuna Treaty Gets Official Ink
With agreement reached earlier this year, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which governs US fishing access to PNA EEZs, has been officially signed at the WCPFC annual meeting, which started...
TU To Put Cash In Hands Of Slavery Victims
Thai Union is taking steps to help workers rescued from slavery, aiming to create a fund to financially support victims of labor abuse within the fisheries industry. The “Fishers Fund” was...