A working group of the Pacific Island Parties met last week with the United States to hammer out some options for a possible structure for the US South Pacific Tuna Treaty.
The interim treaty which allows US purse seiners to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zones of island countries is to expire at the end of December.
Director General of the Fisheries Forum Agency, Mr. James Movick told senior Pacific editors and journalists attending a workshop on reporting tuna in Palau, that the small working group and the United States reps came up with several options for the Treaty,
These would be presented to the full group of Pacific Fisheries Ministers and also by the US reps to their industry group.
Movick said its hoped that by July there will be a proposed US Pacific Tuna Treaty in place.
The Director General did not disclose the options which were discussed but said there was a good exchange, and by having a small informal group, the exchange was more free flowing.
