Japan secured a 25 percent increase in its Pacific bluefin quota for fish weighing at least 30 kg at the recently held RFMO meeting. Mexico, which had previously opposed the increase, agreed to the hike following bilateral talks with Japan.

At the Eleventh Joint IATTC-NC Working Group Meeting on PBF Management—Second Session, held on August 18, an agreement was made allowing Japan to increase its bluefin quota from 11,869 tons to 14,836 tons in 2027 and 2028. The quota for fish weighing less than 30 kg will be cut by about six percent to 4,823 tons, according to Japanese news sites. At the IATTC-WCPFC first session held in July, Japan’s request for an increased quota was not granted. At that time, the Japanese Fisheries Agency stated that an agreement could not be reached “because of the unreasonable actions of one country [Mexico] and we are feeling outraged.” The Agency did not reveal why Mexico opposed Japan’s request.

Taiwanese-flagged purse seiner ‘Jih Yu No. 868’ sank in the South Pacific after catching fire on August 8, which resulted in the sinking of the vessel two days later. All 32 crew members were safely rescued, with no casualties or environmental pollution reported, according to the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB). It has appointed a task force to investigate the incident and classified the accident as a major marine occurrence under Taiwan’s Transportation Occurrence Investigation Act.

‘Jih Yu No.868’ is owned by Kaohsiung-based Chern Lung Fishery Co. Ltd. The 70-meter-long seiner had a 1,484 gross tonnage and 1,657 cubic meters fish hold capacity.

The recently concluded Operation Island Chief (OPIC26) intercepted 16 vessels of interest, one of the highest tallies recorded in recent FFA-coordinated regional surveillance operations. The two-week operation, held from August 3 to 14, apprehended four vessels, although it remains unclear whether any were tuna boats. During the operation, 133 boats were boarded and inspected, 45 vessel contacts with high risk IUU assessments were analysed, and satellite detections were looked into. Over 3,000 tuna and other fishing boats, covering approximately 27.5 million square km of Pacific waters, were monitored closely during OPIC26.

OPIC26 was organized by FFA members including Pacific Island nations, Australia, and New Zealand, and supported by the WCPFC, SPC, Global Fishing Watch, and Hawkeye 360, among others. FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop explained that OPIC26 demonstrated the value of the Pacific Islands’ collective efforts to detect and respond to IUU fishing. “These results reflect the growing capability of our members, supported by intelligence, technology and strong partnerships, to identify activities of concern and protect our vast ocean areas.” Last year, OPIC25 identified 12 vessels of interest.