BY NED GAGAHE
In a historic step forward for regional ocean governance, the Pacific Community (SPC) has officially launched the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Dashboard, the first regionally-owned digital platform designed to provide real-time tracking of maritime boundaries, extended continental shelf submissions, and national ocean policies.
The Dashboard was launched yesterday at the sideline event on Maritime Boundaries and Ocean Management.

The platform is already being used by Forum Fisheries Agencies (FFA) to monitor vessel activity against established maritime zones.
The event was attended by Pacific leaders including Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, SPC Director General Dr. Stuart Minchin, and Deputy Director for the Ocean and Maritime Programme Jens Kruger, Premier of Temotu Province Stanley Tehiahua, and Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr Filimon Manoni.
The Dashboard is being hailed as a major innovation in the drive for transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making in the Pacific’s maritime domain.
“This is more than just a tool, it’s a powerful symbol of regional ownership and cooperation,” said SPC Director General Dr Stuart Minchin.
“It offers governments, negotiators, and partners a shared reference point grounded in science, law, and data.”

Built to respond to the growing need for accurate, accessible maritime data, the Dashboard is already proving its utility.
With over 75 percent of the region’s shared maritime boundaries already settled through signed treaties—and 8 Pacific nations having adopted National Ocean Policies—the Dashboard provides a timely and critical interface to monitor progress, highlight gaps, and coordinate action.
The launch of the Dashboard represents the latest in a series of strategic efforts by SPC and its partners to elevate the Pacific’s role in global ocean diplomacy.
The region is now widely recognised as a leader in boundary finalisation, ocean policy development, and legal advocacy for maritime rights.
The Dashboard complements long-standing initiatives such as the Pacific Maritime Boundaries Project, which SPC has coordinated for more than two decades.
The platform helps ensure that progress is not only made, but measurable, visible, and verifiable.
“Transparency is essential for good governance and when it comes to ocean space, the stakes are too high for guesswork.” Dr Minchin said.
The launch of the Dashboard sets a new international standard for how small island developing states can use digital tools to enhance sovereignty, protect resources, and manage ocean spaces.
As climate pressures mount and geopolitical interest in the Pacific intensifies, such innovations are essential.
The platform will also play a key role in supporting regional efforts toward 100% ocean management, a shared goal that links marine conservation, fisheries governance, and sustainable development.
Backed by enduring support from partners including the European Union, Australia, the United Kingdom, and donors, the Dashboard is expected to evolve over time, incorporating additional data layers and user functionalities.
“This is a living system, not a one-off launch. It will grow as the region’s needs grow.
“The Blue Pacific is not just an identity, it’s an organised, data-driven reality. With tools like this Dashboard, we are demonstrating that Pacific-led solutions are not only possible, they are effective, and they are here.” SPC Director General Dr Stuart Minchin said.