Pacific Bluefin Tuna Stocks Estimated to Have Risen 10 Pct

May 22, 2018

Tokyo- The amount of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks rose 10 pct from 2014 to 21,000 tons in 2016, Japan's Fisheries Agency said Monday, citing an estimate by an international organization.

In light of the recovery in stocks, Japan plans to propose an expansion of catch quotas at an international meeting to be held in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka in September.

The growth in stocks reflected efforts to limit catches, mainly of small bluefin tuna, under way since 2015, an official of the Japanese agency said.

The Pacific bluefin tuna is highly popular in Japan for use in high-grade sushi, but the depletion of its stocks is feared.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, an international body that governs tuna fishing, last December adopted new rules that change catch quotas according to the extent of stock recovery.

The commission has set a goal of raising the amount of Pacific bluefin tuna stocks to 43,000 tons by 2024. It has vowed to consider an expansion of catch quotas if the possibility of reaching the goal increases to 75 pct or over.

The latest estimate pushed up the possibility to 98 pct from 62 pct. Japan hopes to see larger quotas take effect next year, but some countries oppose an expansion. Jiji Press