Conservation measures are generally instituted to prevent the collapse of fish stocks due to overfishing. These can be in the form of closing an area for any fishing activity, limiting the amount of fish that can be caught or allowing the use of only specific fishing gear. The ban on tuna fishing in the Pacific, from Jan. 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2011, is essentially the closure of two pockets of international waters roughly covering the area from 130°E to 180°E and from 10°N to 10°S for purse seine fishing.

Ban on tuna fishing in the Pacific: Boon or bane?. (2010, April 4). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A14.