7 Aug 2015

US and Pacific fail to reach tuna agreement

4:07 pm on 7 August 2015

Negotiations this week in Brisbane failed to produce a new long term South Pacific Tuna Treaty agreement between the United States and the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency.

The treaty allows the US purse seiner fleet to fish in the exclusive economic zones of FFA members.

In a statement, the U.S. based South Pacific Tuna Corporation says there are still obstacles to reaching a new long term agreement.

However, members of the U.S. State Department, and U.S. Commerce Department did agree to an interim agreement for 2016 with the FFA and the Parties to the Nauru Agreement.

The current Tuna Treaty agreement of $US90 million dollars, paid by the US, and covers only 2015.

The South Pacific Tuna Corporation says there is an opportunity for the process to continue, but that is in the hands of the Pacific Island Nations.

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