The Technical Compliance Committee (TCC4_ meeting comes at an important time. This key meeting will advise what action the 5th annual Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in December this year must take to conserve the viability of the Pacific's lucrative tuna fisheries is being held in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia from October 2-7, 2008.
Armed and masked, scouring the oceans, stealing food from hungry families – modern day pirates are a far cry from the glamour of Hollywood movies.
But they are a multi billion-dollar reality for many communities that can least afford to be robbed.
The Pacific Island countries depend on tuna resources both as a source of income and food.
The Western & Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) tuna fishery is the most productive in the world. Around half of the total global tuna supply was caught here annually from 1994- 2004.
