9 Jan 2017

Marshalls expects top tuna return in 2017

5:45 am on 9 January 2017
The Marshall Islands expects to set a record in revenue from purse seine tuna fishing in 2017, with an anticipated $24 million in revenue. A purse seiner transships its load of tuna to a carrier vessel in Majuro’s lagoon during 2016.

A purse seiner transships its load of tuna to a carrier vessel in Majuro's lagoon during 2016. Photo: Hilary Hosia

The Marshall Islands says it has sold almost all of its allocated fishing days for 2017, and is anticipating it will make a record $US23.9 million.

Under the Parties to the Nauru Agreement's Vessel Day Scheme, eight Pacific countries sell an allocation of fishing days to other nations to fish for tuna in their exclusive economic zones.

The director of the country's Marine Resources Authority Glen Joseph said with about 88 days still left to sell of its 3,000 total, another million dollars could yet be made.

"While the Parties to the Nauru Agreement minimum price for a fishing day is $US8,000, about one third of the Authority's fishing days are being sold at prices ranging from $10,000 to $12,500 per day", he said.

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