World Tuna Day

Nauru Media News – NTV reports the United Nations established World Tuna Day on 2 May to raise awareness about the importance of tuna and to promote more sustainable fishing practices.

Over 40 local boats registered for the fishing competition that launched from the Gabab channel in Boe or Anibare boat harbor at 5am and returned before 10am.

The competition was for the single heaviest tuna catch for men, lady anglers and junior anglers.

There were a number of good sized tuna caught in all three categories brought in on the day for weighing purposes.

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The proposal was initiated by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and went to the UN with the backing of all 17 Pacific Island members of the Forum Fisheries Agency.

  “We are delighted with United Nations ratification of World Tuna Day,” said PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru, who is in Fiji attending the 13^th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

His comments were echoed by the FFA director general James Movick.

It’s great news and could not have come at a better time for all the Pacific SIDS Mr Movick said.

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement have been pushing to establish an internationally recognised event for the past five years.

The PNA's chief executive Ludwig Kumoru, who is currently attending the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission or Tuna Commission, in Nadi, said the move confirms the world's appreciation of the value of tuna.

Tuna is a primary source of revenue for Pacific Island governments and is a key part of food security in the region.

Photo: 123 RF

World Tuna Day is an initiative of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which has celebrated the day in the PNA region since 2012 following PNA government fisheries ministers endorsing the annual event.

RNZ reports the PNA said World Tuna Day is a reminder of people's role as custodians of the rich natural resource that is food for tens of millions of people around the world.

PNA Chair Sonia Schutz said the Parties to the Nauru Agreement are managing the world's largest sustainable tuna fishery, so it is gratifying to see the outpouring of support for the resolution.