1
NEWS
Pacific tuna plundered
Stocks razed and nations' futures threatenedThe conclusion reached at a recent 10-day meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in Pohnpei, Micronesia, is that Pacific tuna stocks are experiencing further decline and current management measures are failing to restore stocks.
"The outcome of the meeting demonstrates that there are simply too many industrial fishing vessels plundering the Pacific, using highly destructive fishing techniques that have wide and damaging impacts on the ecosystem," Dr. Cat Dorey, Greenpeace Coordinator for the International Sustainable Seafood Programme, said.
Dr Dorey claims the Pacific region’s most valuable tuna, the Pacific bluefin, is now down to just four per cent of its original stock size and other tuna stocks are at risk of following this catastrophic decline unless urgent management action is taken.
Previously healthy stocks, such as South Pacific albacore, are now generating concern as they are declining and the economic viability of the fisheries is suffering.
With the meeting in Micronesia ending last week, the Scientific Committee also found that the number of purse-seine vessels in the fishery was at an all-time high and catches for bigeye in 2012 were the highest in eight years. This is despite a commitment by members five years ago to halt and reverse the impacts on this troubled stock.
"Destructive fishing techniques that employ fish aggregation devices (FADs) with purse-seine nets continue to raze fish populations, in particular vulnerable juvenile yellowfin and bigeye stocks. A ban on these devices is urgent and overdue," Dr. Dorey said.
The Pacific region’s shark species are also at critically low levels, being caught in huge numbers as bycatch in both longline and purse-seine fisheries.
Greenpeace Pacific Oceans Campaigner, Duncan Williams said: "If Pacific nations are to have fish and livelihoods in the future there is a pressing need for urgent sharp reductions to fishing efforts and capacity, plus the adoption of sustainable fishing techniques."
Greenpeace urges Pacific Island governments to lead by example and transform the tuna sector with homegrown sustainable fisheries that can ensure equitable returns.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBoatsales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the boatsales app
