The Tuna Commission is urging its members to focus on managing fish stocks instead of short-term financial gains.
Executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Feleti Te'o at the opening of its annual meeting in Fiji, December 2016. Photo: Monica Miller
The annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission which regulates the biggest tuna fishery in the world is in its second day in Fiji.
Speaking at the meeting the executive director Feleti Te'o says members need to adjust their goals.
"In some cases there is an emphasis on short term commercial costs instead of the preservation and sustainability of the stock which would ultimately provide longer term financial benefits too," he said.
"As your executive director I respect submit that our dialogue should be rephrased first and foremost around sustainability of the stocks."
Mr Te'o said members will need to decide how they contribute to sustaining fishing stocks and then the Commission will focus on what is most critical.