A tuna processing representative says that unless members of the Tuna Commission meeting in Korea take action, measures to preserve stocks are likely to be imposed from outside.
Pacific nations and foreign fishing countries are still trying to find agreement on ways to reduce the catch of Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna by 30 per cent.
Mike McGowan who is with Bumblebee Seafoods, the largest canned seafood company in North America, set out the future pressures on the fishery, which include tuna stocks reaching maximum yield, increased demand, and probable market requirements for certified sustainability.
He said it was up to regional fisheries management organisations, or rfmo's, to effectively manage the stocks or decisions would be taken out of their hands:
"As time goes by there is going to be more and more pain, the responsibility to manage the tuna stocks are with the rfmos, however if they don't the example I gave was the blue fin tuna in the Atlantic. There is talk of a possible CITIES listing and that is too bad because responsibility should lie with rfmo and they should be able to manage the stock."
The Cities convention concerns trade in what are classed as endangered species and would prohibit trade in those species.
Mr McGown told the meeting that structure for management is in place, there just has to be the political will.
