WWF has revealed the information at the world’s leading seafood fair opened in Brussels, Belgium. The organization has announced that the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu had submitted a key element of their shared tuna fisheries for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification – the highest and most extensive sustainability certification available.
The application itself shows that seriousness of the national parties in controlling their fisheries both environmentally and economically sustainable. It also shows the involvement of several national parties. WWF International Director General James Leape informed that these eight nations are to be commended for the lead they are taking on sustainable fishing issues.
He also said that WWF strongly support – Western Pacific fisheries conservation measures that are world firsts, such as the closure of high seas pockets between their economic zones, controls on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and 100 percent observer coverage for purse seine fishing vessels. He added that the organization is also seeing innovative economic measures to ensure that these countries reap more of the benefit from fishing in their waters, such as the introduction of competitive bidding for fishing rights, crewing agreements and moves to bring tuna processing into the region.
The PNA nations also have introduced some of the toughest bycatch rules for dolphins, sharks and turtles. Chris Ninnes, Deputy Chief Executive of the MSC, said that this assessment is an important development in the history of the MSC and I am pleased to see the eight PNA states move this fishery into MSC full assessment so shortly after their announcement of intention earlier this year.
