Joint Statement on United States–Pacific Island Parties Consultation Under the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries

The text of the following statement was released by Representatives of the Government of the United States and the Pacific Island Parties to the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries, on the occasion of the annual Treaty consultation.

Representatives of the Government of the United States and the Pacific Island Parties (PIPs) to the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries, otherwise known as the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, met in Wellington, New Zealand, to review implementation of the Treaty and discuss opportunities to strengthen cooperation in support of sustainable fisheries, economic development, and maritime security.

The Participants reaffirmed the enduring value of the Treaty as a cornerstone of partnership between the United States and Pacific Island countries for nearly four decades.  The Participants also affirmed the importance of ratifying 2016 and 2024 amendments to the Treaty. The Participants recognized the Treaty’s continued contribution to economic development and stability across the Pacific. Sustainable and productive fisheries are the foundation of the partnership, and the success of the Treaty depends on the continued economic viability of the U.S. purse seine fleet and American Samoa.

The United States highlighted the imminent delivery of its 2026 contribution of US$60 million under the Economic Assistance Agreement associated with the Treaty. Pacific Island Parties thanked the United States for the delivery of the first two annual economic assistance payments and the upcoming third payment, and noted the value of predictability given the importance of the funding to national economic development.  These three payments under the current Economic Assistance Agreement would bring the total contribution to US$180 million in foreign assistance associated with the Treaty from the United States to support Pacific Island economies. The Participants exchanged views on how these funds have contributed to fisheries management, maritime domain awareness, and broader economic initiatives throughout the region.

The Pacific Island Parties welcomed the United States’ suggestion that collaboration on Pacific economic development in the context of the Treaty should be formalized and expedited. This could address opportunities and mitigate risks in order to advance shared priorities.

Participants also discussed shared efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and strengthen monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities.  The Participants recognized the urgency of the risk and the need to examine innovative approaches to pursue bolder actions that would combat IUU fishing across the region.  The United States and Pacific Island Parties reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to protect fisheries resources, uphold international rules and standards, ensure that Pacific tuna fisheries remain sustainably managed for the benefit of future generations, and ensure parity, including recognition of equal treatment for all Small Island Developing States and Participating Territories in the management of the region’s fisheries.  Further, the meeting also provided an opportunity to review implementation matters related to licensing and registration systems and to exchange information on efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Treaty administration.

The Participants decided that the next Annual Consultation would be held in early 2027 in American Samoa, with dates to be confirmed. In addition, the Participants decided to return Annual Consultations to a regular calendar, with intersessional meetings as required, and to consider alternating between in-person and virtual, as an efficiency and cost-saving measure.

The Participants welcomed other opportunities to accelerate progress on economic viability and combatting IUU fishing. The Participants look forward to continued engagement to ensure that the Treaty remains a successful platform for bolstering maritime security and prosperity in fisheries throughout the Pacific region.

WELLINGTON, 24 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