Environmental groups are urging the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) that includes Palau to reconsider implementing the science-based, pre-agreed management procedure (MP) for skipjack tuna,
In an open letter from NGOs, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Ocean Foundation, WWF, and Global Tuna Alliance, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu plus Tokelau which makes up the PNA bloc are urged not to delay any longer the adoption of harvest strategy.
Harvest strategies are pre-agreed frameworks for making fisheries management decisions, such as setting quotas
The open letter is sent to PNA, as the annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting. is set next month.
“We, the undersigned organizations, urge the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) to support the implementation of a management procedure for western and central Pacific skipjack tuna as soon as possible in order to secure the long-term sustainability of this valuable and important fishery.”
Western and central Pacific Ocean skipjack tuna is one of the most valuable fish in the world. Worth more than US9.65 billion. the third most-caught fish in the world and while in currently healthy stock, NGOs said there need to be strong rules in place to ensure that catch remains sustainable.
NGO’s said PNA had led the way in promoting sustainable fisheries policies, implementing practices adopted across the region.
Skipjack tuna is one of the most important species in the western and central Pacific oceans.
The WCPO supports the largest skipjack tuna fishery in the world, producing around 1.8 million metric tons of skipjack annually, worth $2.54 billion in landed value. In the Pacific,
In most Pacific countries the skipjack fishery supports livelihoods, and generates significant revenue for governments,
Canned skipjack is eaten worldwide as an affordable source of protein.
“As Parties to the Nauru Agreement, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, plus the territory of Tokelau, their waters contain some of the world’s most productive skipjack fishing grounds.
“However, the long-term sustainability of this skipjack stock requires the PNA to demonstrate its leadership in fisheries management once again. A skipjack management procedure is scheduled to be adopted by the WCPFC at its meeting on Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. This would fulfill a commitment made more than eight years ago after years of hard work and delays.”
PNA wants to delay the implementation of the harvest strategy for six more years, which according to the NGO would be risky to the healthy population of skipjack tuna. (Island Times)
NGOs urge PNA to adopt skipjack tuna harvest strategy
