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It seems as though the highly sought-after Pacific bluefin tuna has finally caught a break. Year after year the quota set forth by fishery management organizations such as, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries (WCPFC) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) have been exceeded—by some estimates as much as three times higher than what is considered sustainable. As a result the fish has plummeted to just 2.6% of its historical population size.

Last week during a meeting between the WCPFC and IATTC, an agreement was made, which if kept could mean great things for the Pacific bluefin tuna. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, Mexico, and other member countries devised a long-term plan to foster an increase in the population size. Despite a long, uphill battle with Japan, media coverage of the species decline has ultimately led to a change of heart. The agreement will try to help the species increase its population to 20% of its historical size by 2034.

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