(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.

(The Jet) Pacific islands are trying to reach an agreement with the United States of America to update a treaty over tuna fishing to conserve stocks.

(vasep.com.vn) According to the research results of Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (RIMF) (period of 2000-2009), stocks of skipjack tuna in Vietnam is estimated at about 800,000 MT, yellowfin tuna of 45,000 MT and bigeye tuna of 28,000 MT. Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of oceanic tuna group in Vietnam is estimated at 17 thousand MT per year.

(IntraFish) As high fuel costs and lack of supply push prices up, suppliers remain confident that demand will stay strong. Despite the high raw material costs for tuna, consumer demand remains strong enough to take on higher prices in supermarkets and restaurants.

(Philippine Information Agency) Philippine fishing vessels have been authorized to fish in the seas of Pacific Ocean, the Mindanao Development Authority said.

(Business World) Rules for Philippine fishermen who aim to resume operations in an area of the Pacific Ocean, now that a two-year ban on commercial fishing there has been partially lifted, should be out by next month, the head of a state regulator said in a forum yesterday.