BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The ocean is the greatest resource of the region and tuna stocks as the backbone of Pacific Island societies and economies.
“That is why the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency remains central to sustaining that legacy,” said Forum Fisheries Agency Director General Mr Noan Pakop.
He said established in 1979, FFA was born of visionary leadership.
“Our founding members foresaw and recognised the transformative legal moment that would be created by the UNCLOS, specifically, the recognition of sovereign rights over 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones,” he said.
“Since then, the FFA has served as the cornerstone of regional fisheries governance, amplifying the collective voice of its 17 Members in global negotiations such as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and ensuring that the benefits of our shared ocean resources are secured for our people,” said Mr Pakop.
He said recent successes demonstrate that Island States can achieve greatness when they come together.
He said that in 2021, the Western and Central Pacific Ocean was the only region in the world where all four key tuna stocks, skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore were assessed as healthy and sustainably managed.
“In comparison to about 5 other regions in the world. Since 2020, our waters have contributed over 55 per cent of the global tuna supply, reinforcing our role in both regional and global food security.
“Annually, FFA Members earn approximately USD 500 million in access fees and over USD 1 billion in tuna export revenues, which directly support national budgets, health systems, education and livelihoods across the region,” he said.
“In fact, 1.4 million MT in our members’ waters. Valued at – 2.7 billion USD. Employment – 28,000 jobs,” he said.
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