Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) Calls on WCPFC To Keep Tuna Stocks in the Green
The Global Tuna Alliance (GTA) is warning that failure to make progress at the upcoming session of the WCPFC could damage the commercial credibility of tuna stocks in the Western-Central Pacific.
The 19th session of the Western-Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) takes place from the 27th November-3rd December, with harvest strategies, electronic monitoring and labour issues on the agenda.
While there is a proposal on the table for a skipjack management procedure, the GTA is concerned that its recommendation to delay full implementation by up to six years fails to grasp the urgency that may be needed to avoid this stock falling ‘out of the green,’ or in other words, prevent it from becoming overfished.
With over half of all skipjack caught globally passing through GTA Partners, this is a concern and could lead to GTA Partners reviewing their sourcing policies. Continue reading here (Source: FiskerForum).
Latest Seafood Pricing Data Suggests Weak Demand in China
Recent pricing data suggest that China’s demand for seafood remains weak.
Average seafood prices rose by 2.8 percent year-on-year in September, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. That’s the same rate as the increase in the overall consumer price index but well below the overall rise in food price inflation, at 8.8 percent, driven largely by a surge in pork and vegetable prices.
China’s CPI rose 2 percent year-over-year for the entire period of January to end of September, well below levels of inflation seen in other major economies. The country is battling economic headwinds as it continues to enforce a zero-COVID policy while also dealing with the deceleration of the property market, which had previously been an engine of economic growth. Continue reading here (Source: SeafoodSource).
Thai Union Brand ‘Sealect Tuna’ Aims to Increase Canned Tuna Consumption in Thailand
‘SEALECT TUNA’, Thailand’s leading canned tuna brand from Thai Union Group Company Limited, the world’s number one tuna processor and a global leader in seafood, is delighted to celebrate 30th years of success with the campaign “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans.” which guides the business decisions and we aim to increase canned tuna consumption in Thailand. We make is at the heart of promoting healthy lifestyles through the products we offer consumers.
MR. Saran Rattanarungruengchai, General Manager – Emerging Markets at Thai Union, said on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of SEALECT TUNA, sources the freshest tuna only from deep seas. We give thanks to all customers and value your patronage, and appreciate your confidence in our brand. We are committed to “Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans.” With a focus on health well-being and nutrition across our group’s portfolio. and we will continue to lead the industry on sustainability while attracting and retaining talent. Continue reading here (Source: MarketScreener).
Progress on Harvest Strategies Urgently Needed to Safeguard Tuna Stocks in the Western Central Pacific
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is calling on member governments of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to pass important conservation management measures for tuna stocks at the 19th Regular Session of the Commission, taking place in Da Nang, Vietnam from 27 November to 03 December.
These measures will safeguard the long-term sustainability of the world’s most important tuna stocks by committing fishing nations to pre-agreed actions to safeguard tuna stocks should they ever decline below sustainable levels.
Progress on agreeing harvest strategies is increasingly critical to the ongoing certification of these fisheries to the MSC’s global standard for sustainable fishing. A lack of progress in delivering workplans for the implementation of harvest strategies is eroding the rationale for tuna fisheries in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) meeting minimum requirements of MSC certification for available harvest control rules (HCRs). Continue reading here(Source: Marine Stewardship Council).
MSC Signs Second MoU with Indonesia to Improve Fisheries, Marketing of Sustainable Seafood
Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) signed an agreement with the Marine Stewardship Council on 25 October strengthening the country’s commitment to creating a marine economy more reliant on sustainable seafood.
The memorandum of understanding, signed between MMAF Secretary General Antam Novambar and MSC Asia Pacific Regional Director Patrick Caleo, will create a national fisheries improvement program for tuna, mud crab, crab, shrimp, squid, large pelagic fish, and small pelagic fish. The MSC will work toward improving the sustainability of these fisheries and helping in marketing of sustainable fishery products in Indonesia and internationally.
In a statement, Novambar said the agreement – the second forged between the Indonesian government and MSC – will provide numerous benefits to the country, which is the second-largest producer of wild seafood in the world.\Continue reading here (Source: SeafoodSource).
100 States Sign to Tackle Illegal, Unregulated Fishing
100 states have signed to an international agreement fighting the scourge of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Food and Agriculture Organization said on Monday, 7 November 2022.
Globally, 60 percent of port states have committed to the agreement to combat IUU fishing with Nigeria, Angola, Eritrea and Morocco being the latest countries to back the agreement.
Illegal fishing is a big challenge facing the globe, especially African marine ecosystems, costing the continent millions of dollars and hindering normal catch of local fishermen. Continue reading here (Source: allAfrica).
