The Asian Development Bank has called on the Fiji government to take urgent steps to address the dire situation of the tuna industry.
Radio Legend reports that the ADB says the industry is in serious decline and catches have fallen by over 25 per cent over the past few years.
This was because the fisheries ministry issued over 200 fishing licences in 2003 when the
cabinet had set a limit of 120 and the Pacific Community had recommended 60.
The ADB says major fishing companies are considering closing down because of the bleak future of the tuna industry.
The Bank says the Fiji government also needs to enforce the licence eligibility criteria and restore transparency, otherwise the Fiji tuna industry would have no hope of achieving some degree of sustainability.
