FFC142 Opens with Call for Stronger Regional Solidarity on Pacific Fisheries

Senior fisheries officials and delegates from across the Pacific region gathered in Wellington, New Zealand Aotearoa, today for the opening of the 142nd Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC), hosted by the Government of New Zealand.

Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General Noan David Pakop thanked the Government of New Zealand for hosting the meeting and acknowledged the warm hospitality extended to all delegations.

“We are particularly honoured by the traditional pōwhiri welcome this morning, which reflects the spirit of partnership, respect, and shared stewardship that underpins our regional fisheries cooperation,” Mr Pakop said.

He also acknowledged outgoing FFC Chair, Poi Okesene of Niue for his sterling leadership over the past year and welcomed New Zealand’s Heather Ward as the incoming Chair.

Mr Pakop noted that many Members had already spent the previous week participating in pre-FFC meetings, technical workshops and consultations aimed at progressing key regional priorities.

“These preparatory discussions have laid an important foundation for the deliberations we will undertake together over the coming days,” he said.

“It has been particularly heartening to hear the broad support expressed by Members for deeper engagement in the wider ocean management and governance processes taking place beyond our immediate fisheries space, while at the same time recognising the importance of continuing to strengthen the Secretariat internally to better serve Members.”

He said the fisheries landscape facing the region was becoming increasingly complex and interconnected, requiring Pacific countries to strengthen regional institutions while also remaining actively engaged in broader international processes shaping the future of ocean governance.

“To remain effective and continue leading in this space, we must ensure that we are strengthening ourselves from within – through stronger systems, stronger institutions, stronger governance, and stronger regional solidarity,” Mr Pakop said.

“This meeting therefore comes at an important time for our region and for the Forum Fisheries Agency.”

Throughout the week, Members will deliberate on issues central to the future of Pacific fisheries cooperation and the long-term sustainability of the region’s tuna resources.

“As always, our work remains grounded in a simple but powerful objective – ensuring that Pacific people derive the greatest possible social and economic benefits from the sustainable use of our tuna resources,” Mr Pakop said.

“Today, tuna continues to be the common currency of the Blue Pacific.”

He said the Pacific region collectively manages one of the largest and most valuable tuna fisheries in the world, with regional cooperation continuing to be recognised globally as one of the strongest examples of successful regionalism.

At the same time, he acknowledged the growing challenges facing the region, including increasing geopolitical interest in the Pacific, climate change impacts, market uncertainties and growing pressures on ocean resources.

“These challenges require us not only to protect what we have built together, but also to adapt and strengthen our institutions, systems and collective approaches for the future,” he said.

Key agenda items this week include discussions on the future strategic direction of the FFA through the Strategic Plan review process, implementation of the KPMG Review recommendations, and broader regional fisheries architecture.

Members will also consider regional fisheries management priorities ahead of upcoming Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) negotiations, including management procedure work for tropical tunas and South Pacific albacore, strengthening the collective coastal State position, and advancing monitoring, control and surveillance cooperation.

Other priorities include climate change implementation, market access, and advancing regional initiatives such as the East New Britain Initiative.

“These are significant matters,” Mr Pakop said.

“They require difficult conversations, strategic thinking, and above all, continued regional solidarity.”

Mr Pakop acknowledged the efforts of the Chair, Members, observers, partners and Secretariat staff in preparing for the meeting, as well as the continued support of development partners working alongside Pacific fisheries priorities.

“I encourage all delegations to engage openly, constructively, and strategically over the coming days,” he added.

“The decisions and guidance provided through this meeting will shape not only the work of the Secretariat, but also the future direction of regional fisheries cooperation in the Pacific.”

The 142nd Annual FFC Officials meeting ends on Friday 15 May 2026.

WELLINGTON, 12 MAY 2026

Media Contacts: Emily V. Moli FFA Communications Manager e: [email protected] Ernest Ta'asi FFA Communications Officer e: ernest.ta’[email protected] Priscilla Ragu FFA Communications Officer e: [email protected]

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) FFA assists its 17 Members 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