Fisheries Minister hails UN adoption of World Tuna Day

​May 2 has been ratified by the Nation’s General Assembly as the World Tuna Day.

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Dec 8 to establish World Tuna Day as an internationally-recognized event.

The event initiated by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) in 2011 has now gained international ratification for the annual celebration of tuna.

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Mao Zeming when welcoming the UN’s decision said PNG is one of eight countries in the pacific region who are members of PNA with waters rich in tuna.

He said the United Nations General Assembly voted without objection to ratify a resolution on World Tuna Day that had been endorsed by nearly 100 nations.

“On behalf of the National government, I welcome this decision. I want to applaud the PNA for this initiative.

“The overwhelming support at the UN demonstrates that the world is paying attention to our ongoing efforts to conserve and preserve our most valuable marine resource,” Zeming said.

“Our waters is home to 70% of the world’s tuna. With the right management and conservation mechanism in place, this resource will support our livelihood for generations to come,” he said.

“I stressed this at the 13th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Fiji last week.

Author: 
Freddy Mou