Fisheries Management

Introduction

Fisheries management at FFA provides policy and services to its members to build national capacity and regional solidarity for the sustainable management of tuna in the Pacific. This includes legal expertise, principles and projects around Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, policy expertise and support regarding fisheries management decision making bodies, notably the WCPFC and SC-SPTBF (Billfish Committee).

Read media releases and reports about Fisheries Management

Many fisheries management activities at FFA are part of the GEF-funded Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project.

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

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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.

FFA-hosted Kobe Workshop on RFMO Management of Tuna Fisheries (29 June - 1 July 2010, Brisbane Convention Centre, Australia)

The Kobe 2 meeting in San Sebastian in June 2009 agreed to hold an international workshop on RFMO management of tuna fisheries.  Members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA; 16 countries and 1 territory) offered to host this workshop.  The workshop was held at the Brisbane Convention Centre from Tuesday 29 June - Thursday 1 July 2010.  

The agreed terms of reference for the workshop are:

Objective:

NEWS: Tuna data management and women observer support strengthened in Solomon Islands

The First Solomon Islands National Tuna Data Workshop was held in Honiara last week to reflect on the current practices, identify ways to improve collection and management of tuna data and to make sure the country meets its data obligations to the WCPFC

With tuna as the second biggest export earner in the Solomon Islands, data of tuna catch and other fishing related activities within Solomon Islands EEZ must be recorded and managed in proper systems and procedures to inform the Government to make decisions that ensure the long term sustainability of the tuna industry.  

Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project celebrates World Biodiversity Day with the launch of tuna species factsheets

Ever wondered what tuna is found in your country? How long tuna lives? What tuna is overfished and what tuna is sustainable? What other species are caught with tuna?

These questions and more are answered in a set of factsheets produced by the UNDP/GEF-funded Pacific Islands Oceanic Fisheries Management Project.

Written for non-governmental organisations and fishing industry association as well as high schools, universities, government department staff, media and others interested in fishing issues, the Tuna Species Factsheets are presented with photos, diagrams and easy-to-read explanations of the facts about the four species of tuna common in the Pacific Islands and how the region controls bycatch.

Factsheets are freely available and downloadable on www.ffa.int/gef/species

Solomon Islanders celebrate our unique biodiversity

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, FRIDAY 21 MAY 2010: Today International Biodiversity Day will be celebrated in Honiara, for all Solomon Islanders to learn about the importance of biodiversity through music, games and educational presentations.

This year’s International Biodiversity Day, themed Biodiversity for development and poverty alleviation, is particularly important because 2010 is the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity. Throughout the year we will be looking at how all living things are, including humans, depend on each other for survival.

Six organisations who believe strongly in the importance of protecting our biodiversity, have worked together to  make this celebration a success, including  the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Meteorogology, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), WWF and FSPI.

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

PNA ANNOUNCES DATE FOR CLOSURE OF 4.5 MILLION SQ KM HIGH SEAS AREAS TO PURSE SEINE FISHING

MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS, 23 APRIL 2010: As this week’s meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) drew to a close today, the PNA agreed for the world’s largest closure of the high seas to purse seine fishing.

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) includes Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu – collectively these countries are the owners of 25% of the world’s tuna supply.

Today the PNA announced that from 1 January 2011 high seas surrounding these countries will be closed to purse seine fishing vessels licenced to fish in their waters.

This closed high seas area:

* Stretches from Palau and Papua New Guinea in the West to Kiribati in the East, Marshall Islands in the North to Tuvalu in the South

PNA MINISTERS AGREE: OPEN PNA OFFICE, STRENGTHEN FISHING LIMITS & COOPERATE TO EXCHANGE FISHING OBSERVERS

PNA MINISTERS AGREE: OPEN PNA OFFICE, STRENGTHEN FISHING LIMITS & COOPERATE TO EXCHANGE FISHING OBSERVERS MAJURO, MARSHALL ISLANDS, 22 APRIL 2010: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) 5th Ministerial Meeting agreed today on several measures to limit fishing and strengthen conservation and management of tuna.

The PNA brings together eight Pacific Island countries to sustainably manage tuna. 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 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.