The Parties to the Nauru Agreement, or PNA, says it is now up to Pacific Island nations to take action on managing their fisheries, following a disappointing outcome at the 10th annual Tuna Commission meeting.
The commercial manager for the PNA says he believes the meeting failed to reach a consensus on cutbacks in fishing because of opposing priorities between distant water fishing nations and Pacific Island countries.
Maurice Brownjohn says the distant water fishing nations were more focussed on commercial interests and obtaining more resources whilst showing no interest in tuna management and conservation.
"I think what's happened this year is probably the worst commission meeting I've seen. Really now it's back into the hands of the islands to just take action themselves because clearly there's not going to be consensus amongst the industrialised nations who are just looking for more and more fishing opportunities."
Maurice Brownjohn says the Pacific Island countries can introduce tougher rules in their Exclusive Economic Zones and demand accountability in their adjacent high seas.
