After a decade of use, US fishermen found that hooks that were meant to mitigate bycatch from the US longlining fleet such as false killer whales were ineffectual and only straightened out 10...
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Biodegradable Jelly-FADs Tested In WCPO
It is estimated that between 23,000 and 40,000 drifting FAD buoys have been deployed in WCPO over the last decade. Scientists in the WCPO are testing biodegradable FADs to mitigate...
Controversial Deep Sea Mining Firm Nautilus Minerals Eyeing Return To PNG
Environmentalists and experts are analyzing in-depth deep-sea mining and the effects it can have on marine life. Meanwhile, islanders in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are keeping their fingers...
Costa Rican President Under Inquiry For Alleged Role In Failing Tuna Reform Law
A Costa Rican minister was recently alleged of breaching his duty by not applying the Tuna Reform law introduced last October. Now, fingers have been pointed at the nation's President Rodrigo...
Climate Change Will Adversely Affect Tuna In Atlantic And Gulf Of Mexico
A new study led by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), San Diego State University, and NOAA highlights the impact of climate-driven changes on marine ecosystems in...
In Depth: New IOTC Exec Secretary Wants To Introduce Pre-Defined Algorithm In Catch Allocation
Paul de Bruyn is the new Executive Secretary of IOTC, taking over the position on July 1 after having worked as the Science Manager in the Commission for five years. Given his background in...
Fijian Tuna Stakeholder Worried Over USD 300 Mln Impact From MPA Expansion
Fiji is considering expanding its marine protected area (MPA) and this has already irked tuna stakeholders from the Pacific Island. Xue Jun Du, Director of Golden Ocean Fish Ltd., one of the...
Is IATTC Getting Close To A Deal On The Retrieval Of DFADs?
During the recently concluded IATTC annual meeting, Ecuador, with the EPO's largest seiner fleet, submitted a revised FAD retrieval proposal that urged the Commission to consider...
AI & Machine Learning Can Revolutionize Tuna Sorting
A team of Chinese researchers has conducted a study to look into the morphological characteristics (form, shape, or structure) of three tuna species – bigeye, yellowfin, and albacore. They...
IATTC Adopts Harvest Control Rules for All Tropical Tuna
The IATTC annual meeting closed on Friday. It adopted harvest control rules (HCRs) for all tropical tunas and the desired harvest strategy (HS) for North Pacific albacore. Good progress was...
South And North Pacific Albacore Fisheries Seek MSC Certification For 4th Time
The American Albacore Fishing Association (AAFA) and Western Fishboat Owners Association (WFOA) are aiming for two separate MSC reassessments for North and South Pacific albacore. These...
Fate Of Deep-Sea Mining In Tuna-Rich Pacific Hangs In The Balance
Environmentalists and people in the tuna sector heaved a sigh of relief after the International Seabed Authority (ISA) postponed discussions on the controversial commercial deep-sea mining...
World Bank Funds USD 9 Mln To Fight Pacific Ocean IUU Fishing
The World Bank approved USD 9 million in funding for a program to strengthen the regional collaboration to safeguard the ocean through the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)....
NGOs Submit Concerns Ahead Of WCPFC Scientific Committee Meeting
The WCPFC 19th Regular Session of the Scientific Committee meeting is nearing, and NGOs have already submitted their suggestions to the RFMO before the event. Some of the top concerns on the...
Thai Union Reduced MSC Tuna Intake In 2022
Thai Union Group reduced its MSC tuna sourcing but increased the volumes from fishery improvement projects (FIPs), according to its latest Sustainability Report 2022. The information comes on...
North And South Pacific Albacore Harvest Strategies Priority At IATTC Meet
The IATTC annual meeting will begin within a week. One of the main demands put on the table by stakeholders from the tuna industry and NGOs is to include harvest control rules (HCRs) for North...
Australia & US To Keep A Close Eye On IUU Fishing In Pacific Ocean
The Australian government has partnered with US-based company HawkEye 360 Inc. to provide “greater maritime domain awareness” in the Pacific Ocean. The initiative, claiming to support the...
Readers Convinced Future Deep-Sea Mining Will Contaminate Tuna Stocks
Experts are warning that future deep-sea mining can pose a great threat to tuna in the Pacific Ocean, especially in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). A vast majority of Atuna's readers think...
Micronesian Seiner Fishery To Get MSC Logo For Entire PNA
The three fishing companies, Liancheng Overseas Fishery (FSM) Co. Ltd., Caroline Fisheries Corporation, and Da Yang Seafood have reasons to rejoice as they are one step away from MSC...
Stakeholders Ask For Interim Reference Points For Skipjack Ahead Of IATTC Meet
The IATTC annual meeting is nearing, and several stakeholders involved in the global tuna sector have submitted their concerns and recommendations ahead of the gathering. Some of their asks...