Affordable tuna cited as key need in Pacific

Allocating sufficient tuna for local consumption and keeping it affordable could significantly improve people's health in the Pacific region, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community said on Monday.

"Pacific Island communities have the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world, primarily because traditional foods such as root crops, fish and shellfish are being replaced by relatively cheap, energy-dense and nutritionally poor imported foods," the secretariat said in a statement.

The statement also said that increased consumption of fish and shellfish, which are rich in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, is an important part of the solution.