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An international conference on Pacific bluefin tuna management concluded on Tuesday, agreeing to raise catch quotas for larger fish as Japan had requested, according to Japanese government sources. The closed-door online talks were a surprise return to discussions following a failed meeting in July, interrupted by Mexico's opposition.

Bluefin tuna, prized for their use in expensive sushi and other dishes, faced a significant population decline due to overfishing. However, their numbers have since recovered under stringent international regulations. The new deal could partially increase quotas starting in 2027, potentially making the fish more available to consumers.

Japan negotiated to increase the quota for larger fish by approximately 25% from present levels, while reducing the quota for smaller fish -- deemed crucial for future stock replenishment -- by about 6%. During the preceding week-long meeting in Nagasaki, Japan's proposal for a new quota-setting system based on real-time stock levels gained traction, but Mexico suddenly opposed the agreement just before it was finalized.

Japan's Fisheries Agency pushed for an accelerated shift to the new system and called on all participating nations and regions, including Mexico, to restart negotiations following the July discussion. Pacific bluefin tuna are overseen by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and, for the eastern Pacific, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. It is anticipated that the agreement will be ratified at each organization's annual gathering this year and implemented from 2027.