The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ended on a high after a week of deliberations in Hawaii which concluded Saturday night Fiji time in support of sustainability.

Tuna Commission members agreed to maintain the current limits on the tuna catch, minimum labour standards for fishing crews, and expanding the involvement of Small Island Developing States in the work of the Commission.

The Tropical Tuna Measure that is considered essential to sustainable management of the tuna fishery remains in place, with the United States withdrawing a push to increase its catch.

Fiji’s Head of Delegation, Acting Permanent Secretary Fisheries Naipote Katonitabua noted that among the significant outcomes was the adoption of the South Pacific albacore Interim Target Reference Point.

Another significant outcome is the continuation of provisions for a three-month prohibition on the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) by purse seiners in exclusive economic zones.

Forum Fisheries Agency Director General Dr. Manu Tupou-Rossen and Parties to the Nauru Agreement CEO Ludwig Komoru say they are satisfied with the solid outcomes that are essential to the sustainable management of the tuna fishery.