Tuna Bites Winners announced

HONIARA, 31 May 2023 – The very first Tuna Bites event a live cooking competition to find the best Tuna Fish dish in the Pacific as part of Pacific Tuna month took place on Friday 26th May at the Coral Sea Resort and it was a huge success.

Contestants cooked their favourite Tuna Fish dish in two categories: Traditional; and Fusion; in front of a live audience and carefully selected panel of judges.

The Contestants competed for a range of prizes including: 100 litre Esky, Dinner for two- and one-nights’ accommodation at the Coral Sea Resort, Bmobile merchandise packs which included a mobile phone, plus a two burner stove and also a chance to have their recipe and photo featured in the very first Tuna Bites recipe book, which will be published and circulated around the Pacific in the coming months.

The competition Judges Nikai Naoki, Japanese Fund Manager/Fisheries specialist on secondment to FFA from Japan who is representing the Japanese Government, Alex Wakio, Former Chef King Solomon Hotel and Mendana Hotel and Perry James Smith, Labour Standards Advisor, FFA tasted a total of 14 dishes and proceeded to judge the contestants on: Relevance to Theme – Fusion or Traditional, Flavour, texture, Aroma, Timing and Appearance.

The following contestants were announced winners on the day with their being only a 1 point difference between the first and second prize in both categories:

1st Prize Fusion Category: Faye Suluna; 2nd Prize Fusion Category: Charity Sego; 1st Prize Traditional Category: Alfred Rifalu; 2nd Prize Traditional Category: Tiare Beia

Pacific Tuna Month aims to increase awareness about the value of tuna, the threats they face, and the benefits of sustainable management. Tuna is essential for food security, employment, and culture in the Pacific region.

The competition is supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, SPC (The Pacific Community), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources  and the Japanese government, through OFCF.

Corporate Sponsors, the Coral Sea Resort, Bmobile and Ausmart are acknowledged and thanked for their important support and contribution to the success of Tuna Bites.

The Tuna Bites livestream and event photos are available for viewing on the FFA Facebook page.

There will be a forthcoming Tuna Bites event in 2024.

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Media Contact: Samantha Mattila FFA Strategic Communications Manager e: [email protected] Ernest Ta'asi FFA Communications Officer e: ernest.ta’[email protected]

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. Find out more here: www.ffa.int

Media Contact: Toky Rasoloarimanana Communications Officer, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems Division, Pacific Community e: [email protected]
About the Pacific Community (SPC) The Pacific Community has been supporting sustainable development in the Pacific, through science, knowledge and innovation since 1947. It is the principal intergovernmental organisation in the region, owned and governed by its 27 member countries and territories. Find out more here www.spc.int