Tuna longliners fisheries and strategy of Eastern fishing countries in the Indian Ocean

Except for the traditionnal Maldive livebait skipjack fishery, Indian Ocean Tuna resources remained untapped until the deployment of longliners Japanese first, Taiwanese ans South Koreans next, who monopolised the catch during 30 years (1952-83). The distribution range of the four tuna species is well known to the Japanese who adapted their strategies during 1952-1965 as a function of the preference of their national market (Southern Bluefin and Bigeye) and the demand for exports (Albacore and Yellowfin), using Misaki, Tokyo, Yasui and Shimizu as the main market places. Competition from Taiwan and South Korean plus an explosion in prices induce strong hetics during 1966-1973. The adoption of deep long lines by the Koreans and the contrast between Japanese and Taiiwanese marketing brought about many changes during 1974-1983. The deep 1983 market depression, which coincided with the introduction of the purse seiners, the launching of new tuna caneries in Thailand, political pressures from coastal and archipelagic states, brought to an abrupt end the monopoly of Asiatic long over Indian Ocean tuna fisheries.