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.

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.

Regional Tuna Management and Development Strategy available online

The Regional Tuna Management and Development Strategy (RTMADS) is now available online.

Adopted by the fifth meeting of Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministers in May 2009 in Alofi, Niue, the Strategy was also noted at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders annual meeting in Cairns, Australia in July 2009. The Strategy is complimentary to, and underpins the strategic and annual operational planning framework that is already in place for the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

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DEVFISH Project Closure Meeting

The DEVFISH Project Closure Meeting, held 23-24 November, Nadi, Fiji celebrated the achievements of the project, funded by the European Union, and discussed current industry and fisheries development priorities for any future potential assistance from implementing agencies Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

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DEVFISH creates economic benefits for Pacific Islands

NADI, FIJI, MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER: As the Steering Committee for DEVFISH met today, a publication was launched profiling achievements of the
project. The Development of Tuna Fisheries in the Pacific ACP Countries Project (DEVFISH) is a European Union funded regional project, which encourages and guides governments to make policy changes that can make it easier for local Pacific fishing industries to grow and profit.

DEVFISH, implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Secretariat for Pacific Community (SPC), supports fisheries
development to increase income, jobs and food security from fishing for Pacific Islanders. While in the past, Pacific Islands have relied on foreign fishing access fees for income. For example, Pacific Island countries catch just $600 million worth of tuna from its fisheries while foreign nations fishing in the same waters catch over $2 billion.

FFA supports development of pole and line fishing in PNG and Solomon Islands through DEVFISH

PACIFIC TUNA FORUM, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, 2-3 SEPTEMBER 2009: FFA’s assistance to PNG and Solomon Islands to help them establish new pole and line fishing ventures is being profiled by the Pacific Tuna Forum today and tomorrow.

FFA Fisheries Development Adviser Robert Stone today presented information about the assistance to a workshop on pole and line fishing, which is being marketed as sustainable fishing to European and British supermarkets. Pole and line fishing is also an industry that creates local employment, on average 10 boats employing 25 crew each catch the same amount of tuna as one purse seiner employing around 12 people.

In Papua New Guinea, FFA, through the EU-funded DEVFISH project, provided a pilot study into the establishment of pole and line fishing including needs such as establishing supplies of bait, infrastructure and processing and marketing opportunities for New Ireland Province.

FFA participates in Pacific Islands News Association Convention in Vanuatu

PORT VILA, VANUATU, 25-30 July 2009: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has been raising awareness of fisheries issues with media attending the conference.