25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting Concludes in Wellington

The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministerial Meeting and the 7th Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting (RFMM) concluded on 2 July 2026 with a Ministerial Retreat on the Kapiti Coast, marking the end of a week of discussions on the future of Pacific fisheries and regional cooperation.

Ministers from Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Naoero, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, together with a representative of Palau, met in Wellington on Tuesday 30 June 2026 for the 25th Annual Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting (FFCMIN25).

The Minister from New Caledonia and officials from American Samoa attended as observers. Also present were observers from the Pacific Community (SPC), the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO), the European Union and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

Ministers expressed their gratitude to the outgoing Chair, Hon. Mona Ainu’u of Niue, for her leadership and pledged their support to Hon. Shane Jones of New Zealand, who assumed the role of FFC Ministerial Chair for 2026-2027.

Ministers also expressed their gratitude to FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop for his strong leadership and to the FFA Secretariat for its continued support to the FFA Membership.

The official FFCMIN25 Communiqué was adopted during the Ministerial Retreat, outlining key priorities and agreements on Pacific fisheries including key fisheries priorities for  discussions at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau from 30 August to 4 September 2026.

The Communiqué addresses key regional priorities, including the Interim Executive Summary of the FFA Director-General’s Annual Report 2025–2026, the Fisheries Roadmap, the FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031, an update on the KPMG Independent Refresh and Performance Review, the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), South Pacific Albacore, and the Middle East crisis and its impact on Pacific tuna fisheries.

Key Ministerial Endorsements

Interim Executive Summary of the Director-General’s Annual Report 2025–2026

Ministers expressed their gratitude to FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop for his strong leadership and to the FFA Secretariat for its continued support to the FFA Membership, as reflected in the Interim Executive Summary of the Director-General’s Annual Report for 2025 -2026.

Fisheries Roadmap: Offshore Fisheries Report Card

Ministers welcomed the positive trends achieved over the lifetime of the 2015–2026 Fisheries Roadmap, including:

• the continuing healthy status of the four main tuna stocks (skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore);
• the rapid growth in government revenues from the purse seine sector, which has stabilised since 2017; and
• gradual improvements in economic indicators, including onshore processing and regional employment.

FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031

Ministers approved the FFA Strategic Plan 2026–2031 and welcomed its strategic shift towards maximising economic returns through strengthened regional cooperation while continuing to ensure the long-term sustainability of tuna stocks.

Update on the KPMG Independent Refresh and Performance Review

Ministers strongly supported the progress made in implementing the Review to drive positive change and improve efficiencies across the FFA Secretariat, as outlined in the Change Management Plan.

They commended the oversight provided by the Small Working Group (SWG), comprising Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Tonga and the FFA Director-General, under the leadership of outgoing FFC Ministerial Chair Hon. Mona Ainu’u.

Ministers also welcomed the continuation of the SWG under the leadership of the new FFC Ministerial Chair, New Zealand.

FFA Sustainable Funding

Ministers noted the importance of ensuring the FFA Secretariat remains a high-performing organisation capable of delivering on its objectives and reaffirmed their commitment to providing appropriate resourcing.

They also noted the ongoing work to secure sustainable funding for the Secretariat, including balancing Member contributions with fees paid by the fishing industry, while recognising the significant pressures currently facing the industry.

Ministers acknowledged the continued support of development partners and directed the FFA Secretariat to continue efforts to broaden its funding base, including through new development partners.

East New Britain Initiative (ENBi)

Ministers approved the ENBi Implementation Strategy, providing a structured framework for regional cooperation, equitable participation and inclusive investment to ensure the wealth created by Pacific tuna benefits Pacific people.

They welcomed the establishment of the ENBi Technical Working Group and recognised the importance of engaging closely with the private sector to identify and advance future development opportunities.

Ministers also welcomed the joint work between the FFA Secretariat, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to establish and operationalise the Regional Fisheries Development Fund.

Management of South Pacific Albacore

Ministers commended FFA Members for their leadership in securing the adoption of the South Pacific Albacore Management Procedure at the Twenty-Second Regular Session of the WCPFC in December 2025.

They endorsed the FFA Arrangement for the Proportional Allocation of South Pacific Albacore, bringing into effect the proportional allocation agreed at FFCMIN24.

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the zone-based management approach as the cornerstone of FFA fisheries management and committed to actively advocate this position within regional and international fora, particularly the WCPFC, to increase benefits to coastal States and territories.

Ministers also endorsed work to align the FFCMIN24 proportional allocation with implementation of the WCPFC Management Procedure and reiterated the importance of FFA Members working together to secure adoption of an implementing measure at WCPFC23 in December 2026.

They further recognised the importance of negotiating as one Pacific region at WCPFC23 and supported negotiating the South Pacific Albacore High Seas Allocation as an FFA bloc.

Multilateral Treaty on Fisheries between the Pacific Island Parties and the Government of the United States of America

Ministers acknowledged the continuing strategic importance of the US Treaty and welcomed advice confirming receipt of US Government payments.

They also welcomed the successful outcome of the 2026 Annual Consultation, which recognised the need to formalise and expedite collaboration on Pacific economic development to address shared priorities under the Treaty.

Middle East Crisis and Impact on Tuna Fisheries

Ministers expressed concern over the Middle East conflict and its impact on the Pacific tuna sector and the operations of the FFA Secretariat.

They directed the FFA Secretariat to continue monitoring the situation closely and keep Members informed of developments.

Appreciation to the Host

Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Chair and the Government of New Zealand for their generous hospitality and the successful hosting of the 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting.

The next annual Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting will be held in the Republic of Palau in 2027.

WELLINGTON, 3 July 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