An international conference on sustainable Pacific bluefin tuna management reached a deal on Tuesday to expand catch quotas for large fish, aligning with Japan's proposal, according to Japanese government sources.
The agreement emerged from negotiations among participating countries and territories, aiming to balance the need to conserve bluefin tuna stocks with the economic interests of the fishing industry. Japan, one of the world's largest tuna consumers, actively pushed for the quota increase during the discussions.
According to sources, the quota adjustments will take effect in upcoming fishing seasons, though specific details on the increase rates and allocation methods will be released in official documents after the conference. The decision is seen as a significant step for Japan's fisheries sector, which has faced strict catch controls for years to support the recovery of bluefin tuna stocks in the Pacific.
Earlier, scientists had warned about overfishing, which caused severe declines in bluefin tuna populations. Thanks to stringent management measures in recent years, the species has shown signs of recovery, providing a basis for a moderate easing of quotas. However, some environmental organizations have expressed concerns about the long-term impacts of increased fishing volumes.
