The Pew Environment Group has welcomed the Marine Stewardship Council’s decision to certify as sustainable the “free-school†skipjack tuna in the Pacific managed by the PNA Western and Central Pacific skipjack tuna fishery.
Amanda Nickson, senior officer at the Pew Environment Group, said: “Pew applauds the Parties to the Nauru Agreement [PNA] governments for their leadership and commitment to sustainability. This is a globally significant fishery, supplying up to one-quarter of the world’s skipjack tuna. Through the use of this more sustainable fishing method, reducing the impact on juvenile tuna and other marine species, such as sharks and turtles, these eight island countries are taking concrete steps towards ensuring a healthier future for tuna stocks in the Pacific Ocean.â€
The certification covers the purse seine vessels licensed by the PNA, which operate across the EEZs of Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, FS Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
