Palau's President, Johnson Toribiong, has called on the international community to make the use of global fisheries fairer.
Speaking to the UN General Assembly, President Toribiong said if distant water vessels want to fish in Pacific waters, they must respect the laws of the region.
He says vessels should fish within prescribed limits and share the benefits of Palau's natural resources in a fair and equitable manner.
"Fishing is not a right. It is a privilege. For too long, the exploitation of tuna has overridden its conservation. This imbalance is not sustainable. It must be reversed."
Johnson Toribiong says at a Pacific conference on Tuna to be held in Palau in December, the concept of a "Tuna Conservation Zone" will be considered.
