Stocks of Pacific tuna on course for collapse
Stocks of Pacific tuna are on course for collapse following the failure of international talks to agree on vital conservation measures, says Greenpeace.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the body that sets the rules for tuna fishing in the region, finished a week-long meeting in Guam late Friday (NZ time). Instead of creating a rescue plan to ensure the survival of the world’s largest tuna fishery, the commission ended up agreeing a temporary measure that weakens existing protections in areas of international waters, also know as the Pacific Commons (1), and does nothing to halt the decline of bigeye tuna.
Most of New Zealand’s canned tuna comes from the Pacific Ocean. All Pacific tuna stocks are in decline, with bigeye and yellowfin the most at risk. Scientists have advised that fishing needs to be cut by up to 50 per cent to allow bigeye tuna to recover(2). Skipjack, the most common species used in canned products, is also under pressure(3).
“This meeting unraveled protection for the region’s tuna populations. This is a disappointing step backward. The Pacific region relies on tuna for food, jobs and economic prosperity and the commission’s decisions go against the wants and needs of the region’s people, the world’s consumers, and forward-thinking businesses,” said Karli Thomas, Greenpeace New Zealand oceans campaigner from Guam.
The WCPFC failed to agree on extending closures of the Pacific Commons, increasing bans on a destructive fishing method that combines Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and purse seine nets and a reduction in longline fishing.
Thomas said despite the failure of the commission there was an increasing global demand for responsibly sourced tuna. Earlier this week Greenpeace released a report titled ‘Changing Tuna’ outlining progress taken by tuna companies around the globe to save Pacific tuna in recent years (2). It highlights New Zealand retailer Foodstuffs, which has changed most of its Pams range to sustainably caught tuna.
On Friday US retail giant Safeway joined other progressive retailers by pledging not to source tuna from the Pacific Commons for its private brand canned tuna.
“Greenpeace’s work to defend our oceans will continue, as tuna brands and retailers increasingly support Pacific communities in protecting their tuna resources,” said Thomas.
Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of marine reserves covering 40 per cent of the world’s oceans and for a more sustainable fishing industry, both necessary steps to restoring our oceans to health. Around the world, Greenpeace is working with retailers and tuna brands across Europe, Australasia and the Americas to increase the market share of sustainably sourced tuna.
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