2 Dec 2014

PNG joins calls for tougher action on tuna nations

3:16 pm on 2 December 2014

Papua New Guinea is the latest member of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement to put the heat on the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, or Tuna Commission.

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Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley

PNG's National Fisheries Authority Managing Director John Kasu, told delegates of the Commission meeting in Samoa, that management of the high seas needs more work.

The call comes as Pacific nations accuse distant water nations South Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan of not observing catch limits and in some instances, offloading catches on the high seas and giving false reports on catches.

Mr Kasu said as recent as September, small island states had gathered in Apia to set goals on sustainability.

The CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, Transform Aqorau, says this week's meeting can't afford to lose sight of the Pacific people, who should be benefiting the most from the fish resource.