Fisheries Development

Introduction

Fisheries development at FFA develops the capacity of members to sustainably harvest, process and market tuna to create livelihoods and economic profits.

Pacific Island countries need policy change to increase local industry development to create economic growth. Currently local fishing industry has low numbers of jobs, poor earnings from employment and a low impact on poverty alleviation and food security. For example, Pacific Islands countries catch just $200 million worth of tuna from its fisheries while foreign nations fishing in the same waters catch over $1 billion.

Many activities in the Fisheries Development division are part of the DEVFISH project.

Fisheries Development activities also follow the strategy set out in the Regional Tuna Management and Development Strategy.

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DEVFISH

Pacific Island countries need policy change to increase local industry development to create economic growth. Currently local fishing industry has low numbers of jobs, poor earnings from employment and a low impact on poverty alleviation and food security. For example, Pacific Islands countries catch just $200 million worth of tuna from its fisheries while foreign nations fishing in the same waters catch over $1 billion.

The Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific ACP Countries Project (DEVFISH) is a European Union funded regional project, which encourages governments to make policy changes that can make it easier for local Pacific fishing industries to grow and profit.

WCPFC Area Catch Value Estimates

Introduction

The report aims to provide estimates of the value of catches of the four main commercial species caught in the Western and Central Paciffic Fisheireies Commission (WCPFC) Convention Area, that is, albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares). The report also provides catch data provided by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and prices obtained from a range of sources (provided below) on which the estimated values are based. 

Outcomes from Ministerial Meetings about fisheries

MADANG, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 7-8 JULY 2010: The Sixth Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting agreed on several strategic priorities for management and control of fishing. Australia, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu were represented at Ministerial level and four other members were represented by Senior Officials at the meeting.

Outcomes from FFA meetings

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 4-13 MAY 2010: The FFA regional headquarters hosted officials from its 17 member countries and territories for a number of key meetings over the past two weeks. Outcomes include:

BILLFISH COMMITTEE – SC-SPTBF 4-5 MAY 2010
The FFC Sub-Committee on South Pacific Tuna and Billfish Fisheries (SC-SPTBF) has been considering short and long term management objectives and options for the longline fisheries targeting southern tunas including albacore, swordfish and striped marlin. The SC-SPTBF agreed to continue national consultations to prepare for a workshop in the margin of its next meeting in October 2010 to consolidate alternative longline management options for the future management of southern tuna and billfish fisheries. There will also be a workshop to prepare a revised strategic roadmap and workplan for guide the work of the SC-SPTBF.

OCEANIC FISHERIES MANAGMEMENT PROJECT

FFA training for fish inspectors starts today in Fiji

SUVA, FIJI, 3-19 MAY 2010: A workshop, run by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to train personnel as fish export officers and inspectors to certify products as meeting EU and US export standards opened today in Pacific Harbour, Fiji.

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) will train 17 people in safety of seafood exports as required for what is known in the EU as a Competent Authority - an independent government based body responsible for controlling the standard of seafood exported through inspections and audits. Countries without competent authorities cannot export fish to the EU.

PNA Office launched in Majuro, Marshall Islands

MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS, 22 APRIL 2010: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Office was officially launched today in the presence of the RMI President and the PNA Ministers.

The PNA brings together eight Pacific Island countries to sustainably manage tuna and increase economic benefits for their peoples. PNA members are Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. These countries own waters which supply 25% of the world’s tuna, an estimated $2 billion worth of fish every year.

PNA SEEKS MSC CERTIFICATION FOR SKIPJACK TUNA

KOROR, PALAU, 25 FEBRUARY 2010: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) which includes Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, stated today they would seek ‘eco-label’ certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for skipjack tuna.

A pre-assessment by Moody Marine Ltd recommended skipjack tuna caught by purse seine vessels in PNA waters setting on free schools of tuna (without Fish Aggregating Devices [FADs] or other devices) be subject to full assessment by MSC. This assessment process could lead to MSC certification of 40% of skipjack tuna caught in PNA waters.

Outcomes from PNA Presidential Summit

KOROR, PALAU, 25 FEBRUARY 2010: The first Presidential Summit of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) which includes leaders from Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, today released a declaration on future direction of their tuna fisheries.

The Presidents met at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Centre to discuss the development of the PNA, which aims to develop innovative ways to maximize economic gains from sustainable management of the members’ tuna fisheries.

The PNA Presidents agreed:

PNA PRESIDENTS MEET TO DECIDE WAY FORWARD FOR TUNA

KOROR, PALAU, 25 FEBRUARY 2010: The first Presidential Summit of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) which includes leaders from Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, opens today.

The Presidents will meet at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Centre to discuss the development of the PNA, which aims to develop innovative ways to maximize economic gains from sustainable management of the members’ tuna fisheries.

The PNA, has been dubbed ‘OPEC for tuna’ because it aims to control access to tuna in its waters and so increase economic benefits for Pacific Islanders.