Bluefin tuna imports from S. Korea rapidly increasing

TOKYO, July 19 (PNA/Kyodo) -- The amount of bluefin tuna Japan imported from South Korea has reached at least 980 tons during the first half of this year, exceeding last year's total import of 920 tons, a survey by the Fisheries Agency showed Sunday.

As excessive catches of bluefin tuna undertaking migration mainly in temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean damage resources, several bluefin tuna fishing countries, including Japan, agreed last year not to boost their fishing capabilities for 10 years and reduce fishing of juvenile fish.

But South Korea refused to accept it and made its fishing in its exclusive economic zone exempt from the agreement.

Based on speculation that South Korean ships have drastically enhanced their fishing capabilities, the Fisheries Agency is considering requesting Japanese traders to refrain from importing bluefin tuna from South Korea, its officials said.

The agency will also urge Seoul to join an international framework to control natural resources, they added.

However, opposition to tightening the regulations still remains in South Korea as Japan's catch of bluefin tuna is more than 10 times that of South Korea.

In 2008, overall catches of bluefin tuna were estimated at around 25,000 tons, of which slightly less than 18,000 tons were caught by Japan, while South Korea fished 1,500 tons. (PNA/Kyodo)