24 Mar 2016

FFA ponders options for new US tuna treaty

12:22 pm on 24 March 2016

A working group of the Pacific Island parties met last week with the United States to hammer out some options for a possible structure for the US Pacific Tuna Treaty.

The interim treaty, which allows US purse seiners to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zones of island countries, is to expire at the end of December

The Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency, James Movick, told Pacific journalists at a workshop in Palau, that the small working group and the United States reps came up with several options for the treaty,

The director general of the  Pacific Islands Fisheries Forum Agency, James Movick, Tuvalu Minister Elisala Pita  and the Agency's deputy director general Wez Norris.

From left to right: the director general of the Forum Fisheries Agency, James Movick, Tuvalu Minister Elisala Pita and the Agency's deputy director general Wez Norris. Photo: Supplied/ Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency

These would be presented to the full group of Pacific Fisheries Ministers and also by the US reps to their industry group.

Mr Movick said it is hoped that by July there will be a proposed treaty in place.

He didn't disclose the options but said there was a good exchange, and by having a small informal group, the exchange was more free flowing

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