AN executive of a fishing company says the local catch of albacore tuna has risen significantly since last month.
Fiji Fish Marketing Group Ltd chief executive Russell Dunham said the catch rate for the tuna may have increased by 25 per cent.
According to Mr Dunham, Fiji Fish exported about 10-12,000 metric tonnes of tuna annually and it was dominated by albacore tuna, which accounted for about 60 percent of the total catch. yellowfin and bigeye tuna comprised approximately 30 and 8 per cent respectively of the tuna catch.
"Currently in Fiji, we have too much export fish available, in particular albacore tuna as a result of the recent closure of a major cannery in America Samoa and the devastation caused by the tsunami in America Samoa to the other major cannery.
"As well as our local cannery at Levuka (Pacific Fishing Company) running at full capacity and full inventory has contributed to the current situation," Mr Dunham said.
The supply was expected to normalise by the beginning of next year, he said.
In terms of seasonal supply, the company operated all year around, however, according to Mr Dunham, the quality and supply of yellowfin and bigeye tuna were best during the cooler months from April to September.
Fiji Fish sends frozen fish to canneries in Levuka, American Samoa and South East Asia. Other frozen markets include Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and USA.
Fresh fish are predominantly sent to Japan and USA, and a smaller volume to New Zealand. Prior to May 2007, the EU was an important market, and the company hopes to have this market reestablished in the near future, Mr Dunham said.
