Japan is urging to cut the catch of Pacific bluefin tuna of three years old and younger by 15 percent, reported JDP.
Last July, resources assessment conducted showed the population of Pacific bluefin tuna of three years and younger reached 22,606 metric tons in 2010. Despite being a primary consumer of tuna in the region, Japan initiated to implement rules in order to preserve Pacific bluefin tuna and allow unrestrained reproduction.
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission makes the final international rules with regard to Pacific bluefin tuna catches, and member countries are expected to keep their catches less than that of the 2002-2004 average.
New rules are already suggested even before the meeting of the commission’s subcommittee in Fukuoka in Sept.
2-5, 2014. The drafted rules will then be adopted by the commission during an annual meeting the following December.
Japan, known for taking the 70 percent of tuna catches, has already mentioned a set of rules to carry out. For one, it would like to lift the exception granted on South Korea, which is allowed not to meet the requirements when catching Pacific bluefin tuna.
Japan also suggested to carry out emergency measures once resources of bluefin tuna in the Pacific are found in jeopardy. Fishermen found not yielding to the commission’s rules are also expected to face countermeasures.