Tuna stocks expected to recover by 2013

According to Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Association chief executive Brian Jeffriess, industry experts expect the tuna stocks to have recovered by 2013.

The statement was made during a Korean tuna meeting involving industry representatives from Australia, Japan and New Zeeland.

To make sure that over-catching does not restart, Jeffriess said the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna has focussed heavily on new enforcement measures.

“For example, from January 2010, every fish has to be tagged at harvest with each fish having its own individual number,” he said. “This tag would also be backed up by documents for each fish showing the date of harvest, weight and length.”