Why a new approach to tuna fisheries management?

Much of the economic value of tuna spawned in the Coral Triangle leaks away, the generated benefits remaining outside the region—typically with distant water fishing nations and foreign seafood markets.

Meanwhile, current management systems used by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations is in need of major reforms.

The time is right for a new approach to tuna management – one that addresses investment, economic, ecological and social equity challenges and delivers a model that is fit for the 21st century.
 

Goals of the Tuna Think Tank

Develop new, additional and alternative management models for tuna and its associated fisheries in the Coral Triangle that:

• improve and sustain the health of tuna fisheries
• channel a portion of tuna’s economic and cash value back to the region to support healthy tuna stocks and sustainable management

WWF and Wageningen University are partners in hosting the Tuna Think Tank. For more information, please contact Dr Lida Pet Soede (WWF Coral Triangle programme leader) or Dr Jose Ingles (WWF Coral Triangle Tuna Strategy).

What happens next?

At the end of the 3-day event, we have compiled a range of new ideas, approaches and prototypes to reform tuna management and help raise revenues to support conservation and management of tuna in the Coral Triangle (please download the report on the right for full details).

WWF is now consulting with regional stakeholders and liaising with interested groups for prototype testing.