Focus of tuna conservation turns to Eastern Pacific
 

JAPAN

Japan’s science-based proposal overcame South Korea’s 
resistance, helping to push an international accord that 
aims to halve catches of immature Pacific bluefin tuna, at 
a meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries 
Commission held in Fukuoka earlier September 2014.

Now, attention is focused on whether a similar agreement 
can be reached to protect bluefin tuna in the Eastern 
Pacific, which is considered necessary to help the fish 
stock further recover.

“There was no other choice,” said Masanori Miyahara, who 
chaired the meeting of a subcommittee of the WCPFC, at a 
press conference after the meeting. “South Korea had no 
choice but to accept” a numerical target to halve catches 
of immature bluefin tuna starting in 2015. Miyahara is 
special adviser to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
Ministry.