Drift-net fishing in the South Pacific: From controversy to management

Abstract

The South Pacific albacore tuna ( Thunnus alalunga) fishery is one of the region's oldest commercial fisheries. Fleets from major distant-water fishing nations (DWFNs) deploy long-line, troll and drift-net vessels in the fishery. While addressing issues of biology and distribution of stocks, the article traces the development of the albacore fishery leading to the controversy surrounding the deployment of drift-net fleets in the region. Regional and international attempts to ban drift-net fishing in the South Pacific and to develop a management regime for albacore are outlined. The paper also considers the two draft proposals for the management regime tabled by Japan and South Pacific countries and territories as well the status of negotiations for the conclusion of a regime.