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...
Tuna Fishing News
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...
Is EPO The Only Viable Future For US Seiners?
If increased restrictions are put on fishing in the WCPO high seas areas, the US seiner fleet may be forced to increase operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean as the only viable alternative....
Venezuela Sees Lowest Catch In 7 Years
Venezuela’s tuna catch in the EPO has fallen to the lowest levels seen since 2009, but there are hopes that this will change around for the country in the near future. The nation’s total...
Cook Islanders Restricted From Opposing EU Officials
Traditional leaders of the Cook Islands have said they’ve been prevented from expressing their opposition to the EU seiner deal to officials at a public meeting earlier this week. The USD 7...
Filipino Crew Face Hefty IUU Fine
A Filipino carrier vessel suspected of operating illegally has been found with tuna onboard after being apprehended in the EEZ of Palau, according to the nation’s Attorney General. Marine law...
PNG Plans To Shut Philippines Out
PNG will stop giving Philippine tuna firms access to fish in its waters, as a government official says new and stricter policies will be coming into force as soon as the Pacific Marine...
“WCPFC Lags Behind On FAD Management”
The WCPFC continues to lag behind other tuna RFMOs on FAD management, according to the ISSF, which says this includes a lack of adoption of simple precautionary measures like the use of...
US Fleet Ready To Defend Fishing Rights
The protection of fishing rights for US flagged purse seiners will be the top priority of the American Tunaboat Association (ATA) at Pacific-based meetings next week, as it calls for a “level...
7 Tuna Boats Seized For Faking Nationality
Seven foreign tuna fishing boats have been seized in Thailand, accused of faking their nationality, claiming to be flagged to Bolivia. The Royal Thai Navy seized the vessels earlier this week...
The People Want More Say In Pacific Tuna Management
The people of the community need to be engaged in issues regarding Pacific tuna stocks, as the fisheries industry is an important source of food security and a significant economic contributor...
EU Satisfied On IUU, But Not Labor
The European Commission is satisfied with efforts made in Thailand to amend fishing laws and stamp out IUU, however is “not very happy with the labor problem,” according to the Deputy Head of...