The Tuna Commission that looks after stocks in the Central and Western Pacific has agreed at an annual meeting in South Korea to increase the number of foreign fishing organisations with links to the organisation.
Despite concerns over pressures on stocks of some species in the region, a number of the Pacific island nations are still looking for new companies to buy licenses or vessel fishing days, known as VDS.
The head of Papua New Guinea's National Fisheries Authority, Sylvester Pokajam, who is leading that country's delegation in Korea, says it is better to have everyone working within the organisation, than operating outside and not subject to Commission agreements:
"We also understand and respect the wishes of the other FFA member countries like say Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshalls or Solomons, FSM or those that want to have access to the opportunity to maximise their revenue through VDS"
Nations that have been allowed to become cooperating non members include Mexico, Senegal and El Salvador.
