Spanish tuna purse seiners in the Cook Islands’ EEZ are about to be monitored more heavily, as an agreement framework between OPAGAC and the Pacific island nation has been outlined, which will...
Tuna Fishing News
What’s Next For Pacific Bluefin?
The decision not to take additional conservation steps for Pacific bluefin tuna at last week’s WCPFC meeting has been greeted with dismay by NGOs, and some will now urge stakeholders to stop...
Will Tuna Treaty Help American Samoa?
The South Pacific Tuna Treaty does not bring any apparent special benefits for the American Samoa tuna industry, according to some officials, but there are hopes that a new Trump...
WCPFC: The Consensus Struggle
While there was some important progress on observer safety and skipjack harvest strategies displayed at last week’s WCPFC meeting, frustration still surrounds slow movement on other issues,...
Indonesia Invests Heavily In Tuna Export Boost
Indonesia is making a substantial investment to build integrated fisheries and marine centers on several of the nation’s islands to increase production and export of more fish products,...
STANDPOINT: Asian Nations Stand In The Way Of HCRs
This week we want your opinion on the standpoint: ASIAN DWFNs WILL ALWAYS BLOCK ANY HCRs IN THE WCPFC Let us know what you think about this topic by placing your vote now. The implementation...
Atuna Readers Didn’t Have Faith In WCPFC On HCRs
In our most recent poll we wanted to know what you predicted would be decided on Harvest Control Rules (HCRs) at last week’s WCPFC meeting, asking you if you agreed or disagreed with the...
WTPO Commits To Fair Labor Plan
A big chunk of the global tuna industry has vowed to work together, as the World Tuna Purse Seine Organization (WTPO) has inked a commitment with Thai Union to establish a plan to ensure fair...
More Longliners Added To Expanding Chinese Fleet
China’s tuna longline fleet expansion continues, as four more vessels are set to begin operations, expected to be active in the Pacific Ocean in the first quarter of 2017. The vessels will be...
PNA: Nothing To Gain By Exposing VDS Prices
In response to an EU tabled proposal for increased transparency on licensing, the PNA argues that it has nothing to gain by making trade information, such as prices paid for VDS days,...
Observer Safety One Of Few Points To See Progress
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...
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....