In light of environmental and international regulations, the South Pacific Tuna Corporation has been forced to cut their number of boats in half. The corporation, which is responsible for about 20 percent of tuna sold and consumed in the United States, is selling its boats, highlights the slow decline occurring within the tuna industry. As a result, there will only be 24 American boats left for tuna fishing and a 70,000-ton reduction of tuna caught by United States companies, meaning foreign companies will attain the majority.
The executive director of the corporation, J. Douglas Hines, places the blame on the regulations enforced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, in a public statement, NOAA sought to have regulations eased for American boats, but had a duty to monitor fishing operations under various international agreements.
The regulations are not the only aspect hindering the tuna industry. The costs that encompass tuna fishing are continually increasing for various reasons. Moreover, the cost to fish in foreign waters has risen to an extent where it is not economically sensible for U.S. boats to fish there.
The price of fuel has also become an increasingly salient issue. To combat the cost for fuel, the boats began using alternative technology to manage costs and catch fish more efficiently. However, while the technology attracted more fish, it resulted in the accidental catch of other species which increased fines.
The reduction of boats has caused debate among Americans due to sustainability and labor concerns. According to American tuna companies, their sustainability standards are much higher than their foreign counterparts. Besides that, American companies question the quality of labor regulations enforced on foreign boating companies due to reports released by Greenpeace. The American tuna companies are concerned that the standards being levied are unfair and causing great industry harm.
Lastly, the tuna company dispute encompasses the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which includes 16 Pacific Island nations. After amendments made in 2016, U.S. boats have been operating under this treaty. In 2018, President Trump called upon the Senate for ratification of the treaty, with no subsequent action as of yet. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be the first to rule on the matter, if it chooses to do so.
Photo by James Thornton
