Pacific bluefin tuna quotas set to rise after Japan-Mexico deal

An international conference on the management of Pacific bluefin tuna concluded on Tuesday with a deal to increase catch quotas for larger fish, according to Japanese government sources. The talks, held in the absence of Mexico, marked a significant shift in negotiations that had stalled since July's unsuccessful meeting. Bluefin tuna, a prized ingredient in sushi and other dishes, has seen a population decline due to overfishing but has shown signs of recovery under international regulations.

Japan pushed for a 25 percent increase in the quota for larger fish, while simultaneously reducing the quota for smaller fish by about 6 percent. This adjustment reflects Japan's goal of making the fish more accessible to consumers. Earlier this week, discussions focused on transitioning to a new management system that would automatically adjust quotas based on stock levels, a proposal Japan advocated for during the previous meeting in Nagasaki.

Mexico's initial opposition was rooted in fears that other countries, particularly Japan, might catch more fish than anticipated. However, Japanese officials managed to secure Mexico's support, leading to the agreement. The new quotas for the Western and Central Pacific region will see an increase in the catch limit for larger fish from 11,869 tons to 14,836 tons, while the limit for smaller fish will drop from 5,125 tons to 4,823 tons. Further discussions are planned to allocate quotas among individual countries and regions.

Japan will negotiate its quota share with South Korea and Taiwan. Japanese officials expressed satisfaction with the agreement, recognizing that while more negotiations remain, the agreement marks a consensus. Senior Fisheries Agency official Takumi Fukuda cautioned that vigilance will be maintained as the outcome of the previous meeting in Nagasaki has not been negated.

The agreement, which governs bluefin tuna management by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, is anticipated to be approved at each organization's annual meeting, effective from 2027.