Bishop to attend Fisheries meeting

Conservation of Tropical Tuna species will be a talking point at the next meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The meeting, which is the Eighth Regular Session of the Commission, will be attended by Minister for Marine Resources, Hon. Teina Bishop. It is taking place in Guam over March 26-30.
The WCPFC’s Scientific Committee will make recommendations and management advice on a number of species found within the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, including Bigeye Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Skipjack, South Pacific Albacore, South Pacific Swordfish, South West Pacific Striped Marlin, North Pacific Striped Marlin, North Pacific Albacore, Pacific Bluefin Tuna and the North Pacific Swordfish.
Bishop commented, “We’ve got reports saying that even though the stock level hasn’t been hit yet – for example, Albacore Tuna they’re saying that we can fish up to 85,000 pounds and we’re around the 80,000 pound mark – they’re saying that even though we are not hitting that, the indication is we need to start conserving now.”
Other issues on the agenda include bycatch, the capture of non-target species, according to the Minister. “Bycatch has to be brought up. It’s a general issue... The problem now is the purse seine vessels. When they fish for the skipjack they are also catching the juvenile Bigeye and the juvenile Yellowfin Tuna. Because they have the ability to freeze it to minus 60 degrees – that gets on the market for Sashimi as well.” Several conservation groups report that both the Bigeye and Yellowfin species have been “fished to the limit of their sustainability.” Also in danger due to some practices used by commercial fishing boats are several species of Shark, including the majestic Whale Shark, which in turn affects entire ecosystems, due to their role at the top of the marine food chain. Other issues include the Te Vaka Moana South Pacific Fisheries Cooperation.
The Minister says that staff from the Ministry of Marine Resources have been working with regional organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and WCPFC in the lead up to the meeting. “We are better off to work as a region on these issues, so it’s more of a regional approach.”

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009