Strengthening the frontline of Pacific fisheries: FFA opens more scholarship opportunities
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is continuing its investment in the region’s frontline fisheries workforce by opening another scholarship opportunity through its Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance programme.
Delivered in partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP), the Certificate IV programme is now accepting nominations for Cohort 12 and is scheduled to commence on 7 September 2026.
The programme is designed to strengthen the technical and operational capabilities of national authorities responsible for the compliance and enforcement of offshore fisheries operations.
FFA is calling for nominations from its 17 Members. The scholarship is not open to direct public applications. Interested candidates must be nominated through their national authority or ministry responsible for fisheries.
The programme targets fisheries officers, compliance officers, fisheries observers, port inspectors, maritime police, navy personnel, customs officers and other authorised officers involved in fisheries compliance and enforcement.
FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said investing in people remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen fisheries governance and enforcement across the Pacific.
“Our fisheries officers are at the frontline of protecting one of the region’s most valuable natural resources. As compliance challenges continue to evolve, so too must the skills and capabilities of the people responsible for safeguarding them,” Mr Pakop said.
He said the Certificate IV programme forms part of FFA’s broader commitment to building professional pathways for fisheries personnel and strengthening national and regional compliance systems.
“Through our partnership with USP Pacific TAFE and regional partners, we are creating opportunities for officers to gain recognised qualifications while building practical skills that can be applied directly in their day-to-day work,” he said.
FFA scholarships will cover tuition fees, international travel, accommodation and daily subsistence allowances for the face-to-face component of the programme.
Nominations close on Friday 30 July 2026.
FFA Members are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
For further information about the programme, please contact FFA Training Advisor Ms Rigieta Lord at [email protected].
HONIARA, 16 June 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 |
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