US scores overdue increase in bigeye tuna catch limit, while American Samoa struggles to sustain its local tuna economy
The 20th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was held December 4-8, 2023, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The primary focus at this meeting was revising the conservation and
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region. That was the annual session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission,
Aboard the Run Da vessels
A warning for Pacific crew Sometime in 2018, a Fiji policewoman told us an incredible story about a young Fijian fellow who had been a deckhand crew member on the Run Da 5, a Chinese longline vessel licensed to fish in
New tuna harvest strategy
A new Tropical Tuna Measure was adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission 20th meeting which concluded early Saturday morning in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The measure will guide fishing controls for
Japan’s large Pacific bluefin tuna catch limit to be raised in 2024
An international commission responsible for managing Pacific bluefin tuna stocks has decided to allow Japan to effectively increase its catch limit for larger sizes in 2024, reflecting a recovery in their population,
Urgent calls for proactive measures at WCPFC to safeguard future of Pacific fisheries
The 20th session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission currently meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands must put in measures that would ensure the sustainability of our fisheries, says WWF Western and
Climate change, overfishing: Pacific tuna faces ‘unprecedented challenges’
The annual regional fisheries meeting to discuss and address crucial matters concerning tuna fisheries and the marine ecosystems they inhabit began Wednesday with a traditional welcome and official opening ceremony at
Unlocking Transparency: Fiji’s Fight Against IUU Fishing
Fiji is taking a firm stance in the global battle against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing placing transparency at the forefront of their mission. The enormity of IUU fishing in Pacific tuna fisheries
Fukushima nuclear plant starts 3rd release of treated radioactive wastewater into the sea
The tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began its third release of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the sea Thursday after Japanese officials said the two earlier releases ended
U.S. House committee moves South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act forward
The U.S. House’s Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would finally bring America’s regulations into alignment with amendments to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty signed in 2016. The 1987 treaty
Fijian fishermen lost at sea for nine days ‘found’
Three Fijian fishermen have been found by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, nine days after they were reported missing aboard their boat. The fishermen, aboard the Lewa, left Lautoka planning to go fishing at Nanuya
The science we need for the ocean we want
Ocean scientists, technical experts, policymakers, donor agencies, traditional knowledge holders, and young people gathered at the Pacific Islands Conference on Ocean Science and Ocean Management in Fiji last
Human rights violations in Pacific fishing industry ‘ignored’
Very little attention has been given to addressing human rights violations within the fishing industry in the Pacific, according to new research unveiled at a first-of-its-kind ocean science meeting underway in Nadi,
Bi-partisan approval for WTO fisheries subsidies agreement in Fiji’s parliament
Fiji’s Parliament has unanimously endorsed the ratification of the World Trade Organisation’s fisheries subsidies agreement – in a historical bi-partisan move rarely seen in the Pacific nation. The agreement
FFA to try again in PNG for U.S. treaty money distribution plan
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency member countries have been unable to conclude an agreement for distribution of US$60 million a year that the United States government has promised for fishing access by the
Niue, Tuvalu raise concerns over Fukushima radioactive wastewater release
The Governments of Niue and Tuvalu have raised their concerns over Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater from its Fukushima nuclear plant last Thursday. More than a million tons of ALPS (Advanced Liquid
Japan pledges long-term support for fisheries during Fukushima plant water release
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday promised his government’s full support for fishing communities during the decades-long process to release treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima
A new chapter for Pacific ocean governance
The new Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni says the support expressed for his office and appointment from Pacific Islands regional agencies, is good news for ocean governance, and for him personally. The
Fisheries app to cross ocean divide
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) has launched a free app to help fisheries officials around the Pacific overcome the language barrier while inspecting foreign fishing vessels at sea and in port.
A market access game changer
The Marshall Islands and Walmart partnership The Pacific Islands region is home to the world’s largest tuna fishery worth in excess of US$4.5 billion each year. For over half a century, the Pacific Small Island
Japan to start Fukushima water release as early as late August
Japan plans to start releasing treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as soon as late August, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on Monday, citing unnamed
PNG Cannery may generate K1.2 billion
Papua New Guinea Government and corporate partner RD Corporation will start talks on a fish cannery which is expected to generate about K1.2 billion (US$335 million) in annual revenue, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Deep-sea mining poses potential threat to tuna fishing in Eastern Pacific Ocean
Research published in the science journal Nature Ocean Sustainability has found deep-sea mining is likely to pose a threat to bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tuna populations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Climate change