Pacific Fisheries Commission

Japan leads the world in catches and consumption of the fish. As of Monday, the Japanese bluefin catch had reached 99.7% of the agreed-on quota for the 12 months ending in June, making it only a matter of time -- possibly within the next two weeks -- until the commitment is broken.
 
Bluefin tuna, a popular choice for sushi and other dishes, is in worrisome decline. By one estimate, natural stocks of the adult fish have fallen to just 2.6% of the level before large-scale fishing began.
 

That follows the meeting of a group of scientists and academics from around the world in Wellington last month at New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

A spokesperson for the project, Shelley Clarke, said a sample of about 200 sharks in the Pacific will be electronically tagged and tracked.

"One of the things that we talked about at this workshop we held recently is the idea of understanding how stress relates to the long-term and even short-term health of the shark, which is very poorly understood."

Speaking to Pacific media on the eve of the 13th session of WPCFC or the Tuna Commission, Rhea Moss-Christian, said most members come to the annual meeting with a wish list.

But Ms Moss-Christian said it is necessary for the commission to be selective and small steps are progress in an organisation with more than 20 members, each with different interests and perspectives.

The Commission said the tuna stock is at 16 percent of acceptable stock levels.

The report was prepared for the ongoing 11th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) scientific committee in Pohnpei, Micronesia.

According to the provisional data submitted by the Philippine delegation, the value of tuna exports last year amounted to US$459.83 million, down from US$664.50 million in 2013.

The bulk of export revenues came from canned tuna which reached 58,660 metric tons (MT).

Fresh, chilled and frozen tuna products came next with export volume totaling 28,808 MT.