BY NED GAGAHE
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has wrapped up its 28th Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Working Group meeting (MCSWG28) with major strides toward digital fisheries management.
Over 115 delegates from all 17 FFA member states and international partners gathered in Honiara from March 31 to April 4 to strengthen the fight against illegal fishing in Pacific waters.
In a statement FFA Fisheries Operations Director Allan Rahari said the meeting achieved “solid progress” in implementing the 2024-2029 Regional MCS Strategy, including plans for a new online compliance tracking system.
The key outcomes of the meeting includes;
• Progress on the FFA Regional MCS Strategy 2024-2029, with the first-year review showing solid implementation.
• The development of the online dashboard to monitor regional reporting and compliance efforts under a five-year strategy
• Updates on the FFA regional surveillance operations, aerial surveillance, satellite remote sensing, cooperative operations under the NTSA and Operation NASSE targeting illegal fishing on the high seas.
• Developments on electronic process of vessel registries (FFA EVR and WCPFC RFV) and access to the information;
• Support to prioritise the remaining countries, 25% to formalise maritime boundaries;
• Discussion and next step on compliance matters and MCS priorities for the WCPFC.
• Progress on the priority matters and guide related to electronic monitoring and reporting,
• Cooperative MCS engagements between Members and the Pacific QUADs on needs and solutions for improvement in surveillance.
“The tools we’re developing ensure our tuna stocks remain sustainable for future generations,” Mr Rahari said, noting outcomes will be presented at May’s Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Niue.
Nauru’s Malgram Dowabobo chaired the discussions, which brought together fisheries officials, conservation groups and technology partners like Global Fishing Watch.
The meeting reaffirmed regional commitment to combating illegal fishing through innovation and cooperation, with digital solutions taking centre stage in this year’s strategy.
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