New rules that apply to a vast swath of the Pacific Ocean aim to improve manta and devil rays’ chances of surviving encounters with tuna fishing boats.The measure prohibits fishers from targeting the rays or keeping the ones they catch accidentally.
The Tonga NPOA (sharks) is a policy guideline that ensures conservation and management of oceanic sharks in the Kingdom’s fisheries waters. It also promotes long-term sustainability and optimum use of sharks in Tonga’s Tuna longline fishery in accordance to national development policy frameworks, and special needs and requirements to develop and commercialise its fisheries. In the medium-long term, the Plan serves to minimize any adverse environmental effects of fishing on oceanic shark species.