Japan’s catches of smaller Pacific bluefin tuna this season are already very close to reaching the annual limit.
The Japan News reported that although the Fisheries Agency has been calling on fishermen to limit their operations, Japan’s total catches of Pacific bluefin tuna weighing less than 30 kg are now likely to exceed the limit mainly due to large catches in seas near the country.
Based on the agreement at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, whose members include Japan and South Korea, the ceiling for Japan’s annual catches of such Pacific bluefin tuna is currently set at 4,007 metric tons (MT).
By 26 April, Japan’s catches for this current season, which ends in June, were already at 4,006 MT. If the catches surpass the limit, the excess amount will be subtracted from next season’s catch quota.
