PNA officials convened on March 18, 2024, at the Chuuk State Government Conference for the 43rd PNA officials meeting. The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Honourable Alexander R.
- Based on preliminary figures for Feb, the overall purse seine fishing effort slightly rose in Feb and fishing intensified (fishing days/calendar day) in HS and in EEZs but total catch declined as catch rates significantly reduced marking what appears an end to months of relatively high catches as effort continued to shift west associated with weakening El Nino conditions.
Celebrating World Tuna Day
PNA manage the largest and healthiest tuna stocks in the world.
PNA tuna fisheries provide about a third of the world's tuna products, including more than half of the tuna for canning. And all four of the major tuna stocks taken in PNA waters are scientifically assessed as healthy and being sustainably fished, largely as a result of how those stocks are managed by the PNA and other Pacific Island countries.
- Based on preliminary figures the overall purse seine fishing effort decreased in Jan as fishing intensity (fishing days/calendar day) in HS noticeably reduced while only marginally declined in EEZs.
- Total purse seine catch (EEZs+HS) remained relatively high despite the decrease in overall effort as the improvement in overall catch rate outpaced the decline in effort.
- Based on preliminary figures the overall purse seine fishing effort increased in Dec as fishing intensity (fishing days/calendar day) rose specifically in the central/west EEZs. Note that monthly figures get adjusted as NFDs are processed.
- Despite the increase in overall effort, total purse seine catches (EEZs+HS) decreased in Dec by 7% as overall catch rate declined but nonetheless catches remain high (22% on Dec ’22), marking 3 consecutive months of relatively high catches resulting in the highest quarterly catch since June quarter 2019.