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Pacific Tuna Ventures
Brief Outline Of Fishing Procedure
“Pacific Tuna Ventures Fishes Only With Pole And Line.
We Use No Nets Of Any Kind.”

The above statement is entirely true. PTV catches all of its fish individually with pole and line.
Actually, we are returning to an older, basic method of tuna fishing activity referred to as: “Tuna Pole and Line Bait Boats.” A simple form of fishing tuna from surface schools with a pole and line and catching the fish on an individual basis, much of the time with a “barbless” hook.
 
Until the 1950’s the above method was used almost exclusively to catch tuna commercially in Mexican waters, and elsewhere, and sold to the tuna canneries.
With the advent of the Purse Seine net with a “Puretic Block” in the 1950’s, tuna fishing began its inexorable downward slide to where it is today. Virtually, on the brink of extinction for many of the tuna resources throughout the oceans of the world. Especially, the Blue Fin Tuna in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
 
Personally, we were pleased to note that the newly written Mexican Fishing Law makes it very clear that the “Long Line” tuna fishing method is no longer a desirable means of catching tuna within Mexican waters.
 
Unfortunately, in order to continue providing tuna to the canneries, the use of purse seiners will probably continue for sometime. However, we are hopeful that someday soon it will be regulated in a way that will at least preserve the small, or juvenile sizes that must be available, in order to continue the breeding, and spawning cycle of the tuna.
 
Of course, our method and concept of fishing does not include the use of nets, or long lining for tuna, nor is the tuna product sold to canneries. In fact we are targeting other markets entirely. Some that are among the oldest markets in the world, and more importantly, those new, emerging markets in our ever-changing world.
PTV’s New Fishing Method
 
Our form of fishing incorporates what is commonly referred to as a “Downrigger Fishing.” The downrigger is a simple device that takes a single line with baited hook down to the deeper depths where the larger “Spent Adult” tuna fish can be found. Normally, just above, or just below the “Thermal Cline”. This depth could be in excess of 400 fathoms, or more.
 
When the large tuna hits the baited line, and is well hooked, this line (with hooked fish) will separate from the downrigger line, and is then transferred (up on deck of fishing vessel) to a special “Line Puller” that will reel the fish into the Panga, and or larger fishing vessel.
 
Once the fish is brought out of the water, it is immediately bled (preferably while still alive) so that all blood is pumped out by the heart. The fish is then gilled and gutted, and thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, and placed into a chill tank where it is kept at a temperature of 0 degrees centigrade, until off-loading for shipment to its ultimate market.
 
Our form of fishing has no noticeable impact on the resource. If anything is noticeable at all, it will be the increased amount of tuna in the resource pack, which would be directly attributable to the higher number of tuna available for breeding and spawning.
Quality (Without Quality, All Else Fails)
 
Our method of fishing commands a very high level of quality in the tuna fish, and other fish as well.
 
From the time that it is hooked, to the time it arrives on the auction market(s) in Japan, or the refrigerated shelves of the supermarkets, quality must be ensured.
 
Even before the fish is brought out of the water, quality control must be in place, and in effect, in order to guarantee a high level of quality.
 
For instance, when the tuna is hooked at 400 fathoms, it must immediately be brought to the surface in a smooth, and swift manner. In the event of a large 250 lb. to 400 lb. (or larger) Blue Fin Tuna, all violent activity, and stress, must be prevented. The fish cannot be allowed to fight against its capture.
 
Extreme, and violent activity by the tuna will cause stress, and in so doing, force harmful enzymes into the meat of the tuna through increased blood flow. Blood flow which is directly attributable to the stressful reaction of the fish being hooked. The enzymes forced into the meat are extremely destructive, and will immediately instigate a rapid change in the inherent goodness and natural quality of the meat.
 
The foregoing is only the beginning of the quality control process, and is implemented via a simple “fish puller”. A device designed to bring the fish swiftly to the surface. Once the large tuna is brought aboard, it is strapped down on a cushioned surface, and quickly paralyzed through an interruption to its central nerve system. Upon paralysis (without killing the tuna) the tuna is bled by allowing the heart to pump out all blood until the tuna expires.
 
The fish is then gilled and gutted, and cleaned thoroughly inside and out. The tuna is then placed into a “slurry” tank (crushed ice water), in order to quickly bring the internal temperature of the fish down to at least 36 degrees Fahrenheit at the center of the fish. (Tuna fish are warm blooded, and when removed from the ocean, have a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.) The tuna is then placed into the vessels’ chill tank(s) in a mixture of salt and freshwater, and held at a constant 32 degrees Fahrenheit, until unloaded for shipment.

It is, to put it very simply, quality over quantity, and the benefits are manifest within the fishing method(s) of PTV. It would also be extremely helpful towards relieving the heavy pressure on the tuna resources in Mexican waters, and elsewhere.
 
I remember when Mexico had to instigate very tight quality control on their shrimp product, before it could be successfully exported. I worked for “Ocean Gardens” during the 1970’s, and I can recall that you could bite into a beautiful large, cooked shrimp, and would just as likely savor a mouthful of diesel fuel instead of delicious shrimp. However, today “Ocean Garden” shrimp are exported and sold everywhere as the premium shrimp.
The Markets
 
Without viable markets, everything else is an exercise in futility.
 
We have targeted markets in a changing world that proscribes, and forces us to change our methods of fishing. Not only to the whims of the market, but more importantly the conservation of the resources directly involved in the fishing effort.
 
Our prime market is Japan. Without question the largest tuna market in the world today. Japan alone, consumes one quarter of all the tuna caught throughout the world. The high end of this market is the “Tsukiji Tuna Auction” in Tokyo, Japan. There are also 35 other major auction markets across the islands of Japan, where brokers and wholesalers bid on hundreds of tons of fresh, high grade sashimi tuna, every morning.
 
Most of this tuna is channeled into thousands of Sushi, and other types of restaurants, throughout the nation, on a daily basis. Today, a large percentage of the tuna is also sold directly to the giant supermarkets emerging throughout Japan. Many of which are already in partnership with Wal-Mart. Seiyu/Wal-Mart is such a partnership incorporating over 300 huge retail outlets in Japan.
In China and Taiwan there are also around 600 Wal-Mart markets. All demanding huge amounts of fresh and frozen fish.
 
I am sure that Mexico is also very much aware that a large market for sea foods is right next door. I speak of the new emerging giant markets such as; Costco, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and other immense supermarket chains such as Kroger’s. These are just some of the markets next door to Mexico (and now in Mexico) that require an ever increasing supply of high quality fresh and frozen sea foods.
 
Actually, Southern California by itself is an impressive market area. Most particularly for fresh high quality tuna (Southern California now has a very large Asiatic population). It also has over 2500 sushi restaurants, and the popularity of these types of Japanese restaurants is spreading rapidly across the U.S.A.
 
New parameters are being established locally, and internationally. Markets are constantly in flux, and how we react to these changes reflects directly on our methods of fishing, and how we treat our resources.
 
For example: Today, providers of seafood must meet the requirements of various international agencies/institutions that have established themselves as authorities that will, or will not, certify your fishing company as acceptable. You receive their approval only if you practice fishing methods, and/or fish handling requirements that comply with their directives.
 
As of right now, if you are interested in selling your products to Wal-Mart, for instance, your company must first be certified by an institution in England, the Marine Stewardship Council. This private organization has already established itself (and is recognized internationally), as a marine authority on what types of fishing methods are acceptable, and which are not. Unless your company is certified by the above institution, Wal-Mart will not purchase your seafood product(s).
There are other advantages and benefits inherent to fishing tuna and marketing other than to a cannery, which is basically a single market tightly controlled, and internationally managed.
 
We noted earlier that Japan consumes ¼ of all tuna caught. This fact alone tells us that there is a very viable market available for Mexican tuna. The diversity of this market is immense, allowing for fresh, frozen, value added packaging, etc. The Tsukiji Auction market in Tokyo alone, sells over 400 tons of fresh and frozen tuna every day, all year long, every year for the past 30 to 40 years.
 
Mexican vessels could do much better marketing fresh, sashimi grade tuna to Japan, other Asiatic markets, as well as the USA. It would also be extremely helpful to the tuna resources of Mexico to do so.
A Comparison
  Let us make a quick, simple comparison between two types of tuna fishing methods, and the markets targeted.
Purse Seine Fishing for Tuna
  • Tuna Seiners are capable of catching up to 100 tons of fish with a single set of their net. (Which depletes the resource.)
  • Tuna purse seine vessels are designed and built to hold up to 3,000 tons of tuna. (Which depletes the resource.)
  • Tuna products from a tuna purse seiner have only one acceptable market. A tuna cannery, or fertilizer plant.
  • A purse seiner, in direct relationship to the amount of  catch, and value received expends large amounts of time, energy, and money to operate.
  • Quality is not a high priority to a fish going to the cannery. Quantity is the only thing that counts in the purse seine fishery. (Which depletes the resource.)
  • The cannery might pay about $500 USD per ton, depending on the type of tuna.
  • A purse seiner holding 300 tons of tuna, and making at least six trips in one year, will earn about $900,000 USD.
  • Vessel will catch about 1800 tons of low quality tuna. Providing a comparatively high rate of catch for low return.
Sashimi Grade Tuna Fishing As Fished by PTV

  • Utilizes a vessel of moderate size that is very simply equipped to fish large tuna on an individual basis, with a very high level of quality, as opposed to quantity.
  • The average price paid for a 300 lb. sashimi grade tuna (Blue Fin, Big Eye, or Yellow fin) on the Japanese Market is $15.00 USD per lb.
  • Our vessel needs only to catch, and hold up to 100 large tuna fish averaging 300 lbs. each, per trip (30,000 lbs., or 15 ton) . Making a minimum of two trips per month, catching 60,000 lbs. of fresh sashimi grade tuna, will bring this vessel a revenue of approximately $900,000 USD for the month. Or, a gross revenue of about $10,800,000 USD for the year.
  • This vessel needs to catch only about 360 tons of hi-quality tuna, to get a high rate of return for a low rate of catch.
Conclusion
 
It comes down to the question of quality over quantity. There is no comparison to the two. It must be quality, or everything in the Fishing industry continues on a downward spiral.
 
We will set-up operations that will include a processing facility, and an active airstrip near Puerto San Carlos, in order to pack and air ship our fresh seafood products from Mexico to the U.S.A., and Japan.
 
As we already retain Licenses/Permits, land, etc., in the Marshall Islands, (Central Pacific) we expect to begin commercial tuna fishing in that area as well. Also including similar infrastructure as noted above. (See separate proposal/pro forma, operation plan for the Marshall Islands).
 
We have drawn-up a separate “Schedule of Development and Operations” for our shore based activities that would include; fish processing and packaging facilities in Ciudad Constitution, and Puerto San Carlos area. This proposal and pro forma provides cost estimates on our investment to the area, employment estimates, as well as other diverse benefits to the surrounding municipalities, and citizens in the State of Baja California Sur.
 
Sincerely,
 
Gunther W. Mothes
General Partner/Mgr.
Pacific Tuna Ventures, Mexico
Pacific Tuna Ventures, Republic of the Marshall Islands