The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency appears to have tightened controls on illegal fishing at the annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
At the Tuna Commission meeting in French Polynesia it was revealed that one vessel has been blacklisted after being classed as illegal, unreported and unregulated following its escape from Marshall Islands waters.
There was a call for seven other vessels to be given such a listing but this was dropped after a commitment, by the nations involved, China and Taiwan, to ensure the vessels were included on the Tuna Commission register of vessels allowed to fish in the region.
Both China and Taiwan have also committed to back an FFA amendment making it the responsibility of the flag state to ensure that its vessels are on the Commission's register before they can fish beyond national waters.