Tuna Quotas Rise: Japan Hopes for Cheaper Delicacy

An international conference has agreed to a 25% increase in the annual catch quota for large Pacific bluefin tuna, effective next year. This decision, driven by Japan's lobbying efforts and supported by evidence of recovering fish stocks, aims to make the popular delicacy more affordable in Japan. The agreement marks the third quota increase since 2022.

Negotiations led by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission addressed concerns about overfishing by agreeing to reduce quotas for smaller, immature tuna. This measure aims to protect the species' sustainability. A new resource management system, similar to those used for Atlantic and Southern bluefin tuna, will also be implemented to automatically adjust future catch limits based on stock status.

The quota for large tuna in the Western and Central Pacific will rise from 11,869 tons to 14,836 tons, while the quota for small tuna will decrease by 6%. In the Eastern Pacific, the overall quota will see a 2% increase. These changes are anticipated to be formally adopted in late November or early December. Domestic supply of bluefin tuna relies heavily on imports and aquaculture, with the increased quota potentially leading to higher import volumes and subsequent price reductions for consumers.