18 Feb 2016

US still to decide on fewer fishing days offer

5:33 pm on 18 February 2016

American tuna operators are yet to decide whether they will accept the reduced terms on fishing access in the Pacific offered last week by the Forum Fisheries Agency.

The American purse seiner Raffaello off-loads tuna in Port Majuro

The American purse seiner Raffaello off-loads tuna in Port Majuro Photo: RNZI GIff Johnson

The FFA said at the conclusion of meetings in Fiji the members had agreed to meet the US conditions after they pulled out of the Tuna Treaty last month.

The US decision caused financial worries for a number of small Pacific states, and the FFA's James Movick said they agreed to fewer fishing days as the US tuna companies had requested.

A US State Department official said it was now waiting for the US industry for its input on the new offer.

The American Tuna Boats Association said it was still considering it.