Recent events of note include:-

• The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) is inviting applications for the position of Executive Secretary, which will become vacant in October 2008. Click here for details.
• Indonesia became a Member of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna on 8 April 2008.
• Reviews of SBT farming and market data during 2006 suggest that southern bluefin tuna catches may have been substantially under-reported over the past 10-20 years. The impact of unreported catches on the estimates of past total catch and CPUE meant that it was not possible to proceed with the current Management Procedure, and that the Management Procedure needs to be re-evaluated.
• In 2007 the CCSBT continued the agreement from 2006 which set a 3 year total allowable catch of 11,810 tonnes, which is a TAC reduction of 3,115 tonnes. In addition, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea have undertaken to maintain their actual catch below 1,000 tonnes for a minimum of 3 years, giving a total actual catch level that should be below 11,530 tonnes for a 3 year period.
• Total fish tagged in the CCSBT tagging program is now 79,118. Recoveries of tags from all components of the SBT fishery are occurring.

Publicity material for the CCSBT tagging program has been placed at ports and on vessels targeting SBT. REWARDS will be paid for tags returned to the CCSBT or the member's fishing authorities nominated on the reward posters. Participants in the SBT fishery are asked to cooperate and return the tags. It is very important to understanding the fishery, which sustains a large industry and supports many communities.