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Pacific states say tuna talks making slow progress

APIA, Samoa – Pacific island states expressed frustration Wednesday, December 3, at a lack of progress in talks aimed at protecting the region's valuable tuna resources, accusing powerful faraway fishing nations of stalling on conservation measures.The islands want the annual meeting of the influential Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Samoa to cut tuna quotas in the region, which is the source of almost 60% of the global catch.They have tabled proposals to help preserve key tuna species such as bigeye – prized for making sashimi in Asia, America and Europe – but say the so-called \distant water fishing nations\ are reluctant to curb an industry worth an estimated $6.0 billion a year.\I think it's fair to say that the meeting so far has been a frustrating one for the FFA members