Leaders from the countries which are the Parties to the Nauru Agreement are meeting in Palau to discuss how to increase their returns from tuna fishing.

The PNA countries include the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

The agreement aims to develop innovative ways to maximise economic gains from sustainable management of the countries’ tuna fisheries.

The PNA aims to control access to tuna in its waters and so increase economic benefits for Pacific Islanders.

Innovative PNA measures include competitive fees for fishing in which days for fishing are traded and sold to the highest bidder.

They also want to encourage joint ventures, on-shore processing and the use of crew from PNA countries.

Last month the body opened an office in the Marshall Islands and appointed Dr Transform Aqorau as its director.

Source: Radio New Zealand