The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting ended having failed to reach agreement on necessary conservation measures, putting Pacific tuna populations on coarse to collapse, says Greenpeace.
The closure of the Pacific Commons to purse seine fishing for the past two years had helped reduce pirate fishing in the region and supported Pacific Island countries’ efforts to reap fairer financial benefits from the fishery. Eight island nations will now enforce protection of the Pacific Commons as a condition of access to their waters despite the WCPFC’s failure to act. Industry change is needed to move forwards in tuna protection in the face of political resistance.
