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in longline fishing effort would result in only a slight increase in yield, if any. The impact of
the development of major surface fisheries on the stock is unclear and consequently the
development of such fisheries should be closely monitored" (Anon 1980).
StatisLics m catches of bigeye tuna are even more limited than those of other tuna
species exploited in the western Pacif ic. T|re present sLatus of the stocks cannot be
accuralely assessed, however, the species is generally considered underexploited.
Otier species of tuna and numerous species of billfish are taken commercially in the
cenLral and western tropical Pacific, but mostly as incidental catches in fisheries for oLher
tuna species. In their own right they represent very limited known poLential for fuLure
developrnent of commercial f isheries. However some species, particularly blue marlin (Y.t "it"
niqracans) and black manlin (Makaira indica) do constitute nesources which could well support
signif icant sport fisheries.
The potentials for tuna firheries developrnent, pertieularly by the coastal states of the
regian
In the preceding section it has been slggested that the resources of the major luna
species exploited in the central and western Pacific are, to varying extents, underexploited.
Eiearing in mind the significance of tuna to to[al negional fisheries, the major potential for
increasing the total yield of fish from the region therefore lies in increasing the tuna catch'
particularly that of skipjack. Increase in total catches in the near future appear most likely
to result from expansion of the purse-seine fishery, which, with proper management' might
well achieve total catches at least several times greater than at present. Furthermorer as
present daily catch rates by purse-seiners in the western Pacific of approximately 20 [onnes
per day (Tuna and Billfish Assessment Progtamme, unpublished data) are approximately twice
those in the more matune eastern Pacific fishery, further rapid increases in total fishing
effort in this region can be anticipated. In the longer term it would also appear more
economical to process much of this fish in the western Pacific rather than ship it frozen to
the world's major markets. The futune for the tuna fishery in the tropical eentral and
western Pacific therefore appe.ars bright, provided reasonable management procedures can be
agreed upon.
Even though the potential f or increasing total tuna landings might be great' the
potential for increased participation by the lsland states of lhe region is not without
probbms. There is no doubt thet the increased eontrol by coastal states over the resources
of their 200-mile zones, embodied in the new principles of the Law of the Sea' geatly
increaseg the potentiel for Islsnd states to become involved, and even to control policy in
those fisheries. A whole range of possibilities for increased involvernent exists' from the
development of wholly owned, operated and controlled local fisheries' through the spectrum
of joint venture alternatives, to the generation of revenue from totally foreign fleets. Of
cour3e, no me of theee need be pursued exclusively and some balance of local and foreign
enterpriee could well be the rnost rewarding.
If coestal stateg do pursue the qtion of developing their ov/n tuna fisheries' the major
probbms they eneornter will include (rnodified from Kearney I98lc):
(D Flrretuatlan in ttp abundarrcc of the relounca. Even though the aree of cean under
the controt of individual eoastal stetes has increased dramatically e a result of
200-mile zsres of extended jurisdiction, theae areae represent mly a Part of the
habitat of the highly migratory peciee. The abundance of these -rcgources in my me
200-mile zone fluctuates markedly with season, particularly in the higher latitudes. It
mayr theref ore, be impossibb for most small Island states to meintain e fleet
year-round, panticularly ss most of them have no other zuitable fisheries in which to
employ veesels and crew during off-peak seasone. Co-qeration with neighbouring
stetee, preferably trr a broad regional bsis, would help to alleviate this probbm.
Highly migratory resources often show rnarked yeer to year variations in abundance in
eddition to easonal variability. Conpanies or countries with limited financial resourees
find it very difficult to withetand successive poor s€ssons, or even a single very bad
one.