S/ Suzuki Norikazu, Fisheries minister / An agreement was reached concerning the direction for setting catch quotas between the eastern and western Pacific. I believe progress has been made.

At an international conference on the management of Pacific bluefin tuna, participants agreed to increase the catch quota for large tuna in the western and central Pacific by 25 percent.

On the other hand, the quota for smaller tuna will be reduced by 6 percent to protect resources.

Mexico opposed the proposal at an international meeting held in July in Nagasaki but shifted its position after Japan continued efforts to gain the country’s support.

Bluefin tuna stocks have been showing signs of recovery, creating situations in some regions of Japan where fishermen are forced to release tuna caught in excess of their quotas.

An expert in fisheries economics says that increased supply could reduce bluefin tuna prices by around 10 to 20 percent, and consumers may see bluefin tuna offered more frequently at conveyor belt sushi restaurants than they do now.