Declining tuna stocks

From Insight 14 September 2014

After years of warnings, those managing the world’s largest tuna fishery, the Pacific, say urgent action is now needed to avoid a disaster in the industry.

Several tuna species are already over-fished and yet the number and size of boats chasing the valuable fish is on the increase.

At the same time, Pacific Island nations are still struggling to get a real share of the value from the region's tuna industry, estimated to be worth more than US$6 billion a year.

Philippa Tolley spoke to senior industry representatives in Fiji and in this Insight explores what can be done to protect fish numbers and get greater benefit for Pacific nations