(OPRT) The trend of sashimi tuna market in eastern Asia was reported by Professor Lou Xiabo, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology at the OPRT seminar for its members on May 16. He analyzed the trend using various statistics and information.

(VIVAnews) Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs stated that Indonesia is considered the largest tuna exporter in ASEAN.

(SeafoodSource) U.S. Sens. John McCain and John Kerry on Thursday took to the Senate floor to pick apart the Farm Bill, including the effort to transfer regulation of catfish from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(atuna.com) Unlike the progress of the European market, recent trends show U.S. volumes of canned tuna keep shrinking. It is not only the common size of the tuna cans that is shrinking from 6oz to 5oz, but it also the amount of consumers buying them.

(fis.com) The limited opening of Pacific Ocean tuna fishing could bring 90,000 tonnes of fish for local companies, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) official said this week.

(fis.com) The country has been trying to up its tuna exports in 2012 to make up for a drop last year. The world's largest tuna exporter is also facing rocketing prices of raw materials due to declining global catches resulting from tighter international restrictions and conservation measures, according to Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut.

(European Voice) The Parliament will also seek to tackle illegal fishing of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean with a vote on tightening rules on enforcing quotas and monitoring landings.

(TheFishSite) Tuna supply is expected to increase somewhat but demand is hurt by high prices, according to the FAO Global Food Outlook.

(seafood.com) Thai food exports in the second and third quarters of 2012 are projected to decline owing to the slowing global economy and higher Thai production costs, according to the National Food Institute (NFI).

(Bangkok Post) Thai Union Frozen Products Plc (TUF), the world’s largest canned tuna producer, posted a record quarterly net profit of 1.46 billion baht, up 95% year-on-year, on strong sales growth.

(atuna.com) The Ecuadorian government is seeking a new trade agreement with the European Union (EU), which will extend its exemption from paying tariffs on thousands of exported items – including canned tuna.

(vasep.com.vn) The Middle East is famous for huge oil reserves and its citizens’ high standard of living. This is a large and potential market for Vietnam tuna exporters where they can operate their long-term business.

(IntraFish) In March, the commission that oversees the harvest of tuna in the Pacific Ocean is to meet to decide whether to lift a two-year-old ban on fishing in one of the strategic migratory paths of the fish, which are declining in numbers as their value skyrockets, reports Asia Sentinel.

(Bangkok Post) The SET-listed Thai Union Frozen Products Plc (TUF) is considering mergers and acquisitions in Europe and a major production expansion in Thailand to meet its revenue target.

(Seafood.com) Consumption of sashimi (raw) tunas in the countries and territories other than Japan in 2011 totaled about 150,000 tons, according to an estimate compiled based on a recent survey by OPRT. OPRT said this represented a sharp increase of 79% from 2007, when the previous survey was conducted.