The Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission will be reviewing conservation and management measures for tuna stocks to be applied beyond 2017.
This was revealed at a high level meeting in Denarau, Nadi by Commission Chair Rhea Moss Christian.
The Commission has an overarching responsibility to ensure there’s effective management of migratory fish stocks within the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau who says illegal and unreported fishing is also one of the many issues on the table for discussion.
“If you look at the fishing licenses that has been issued Fiji has reduced these from around 110 to 60 that’s more than half. The issue that we would like to stress in these discussions is to encourage our Northern neighbours to either reduce so that we can see more tuna outflow coming our way.”
Commission Executive Director Feleti Teo says two of the key commercial tuna stocks Big Eye and Pacific Blue fin – are dangerously low because of overfishing.
Teo says stakeholders need to focus on the sustainability of these stocks and set aside their own interests.
