Good news from the South Pacific where tuna fishing has been banned in two large areas of the high seas, outside of the territorial waters of a number of nations.
On June 15th, two tuna fishing-free zones will come into effect, one between Papua New Guinea and Palau, and another bordered by PNG, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Tuna vessels fishing within their exclusive economic zones will have to carry fisheries observers at all times. Fish aggregating devices or FADs, will be banned for the third quarter of each year.
With the Pacific providing half the tuna consumed globally, this is an important step.
However, there is growing concern over how these nations will enforce these rules in light of the illegal fishing occurring in the region as well as the lack of resources (vessels, cash, and staff) to enforce rules in such a large area.
A step in the right direction, but hopefully one that will be properly enforced.
