BY NED GAGAHE

The Fifth Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue (CBFD5) officially commenced yesterday, September 25 2025, at Ginger Beach Retreat in Northwest Guadalcanal.

This year’s dialogue brings together around 30 participants from across the Pacific region, including civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors (NSAs), to focus on the future of community-based fisheries management in the Pacific.

Organised with support from the Pacific Community (SPC), the dialogue aims to review progress made since previous dialogues, strengthen accountability, share lessons, and explore practical solutions to scale up successful coastal fisheries initiatives.

In a press statement, SPC confirmed that day one of the event “dives deep into what matters most for Pacific coastal fisheries,” setting the stage for future actionable priorities in managing and protecting vital coastal marine resources.

Key outcomes from CBFD5 will be formally presented at the 18th Heads of Fisheries Meeting and the Seventh Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in 2026.

This is to ensure that the voices of local communities, CSOs and NSAs are reflected in regional decision-making processes on coastal fisheries.

The Dialogue is coordinated by the CBFD5 Advisory Group members, with Secretariat support from SPC, and is made possible by the financial support of FAO and MiCOAST.

Now in its fifth year since launching in 2021, the Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue has become a recognised regional mechanism, endorsed by Pacific Fisheries Ministers. It was established in response to the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ 2016 call to elevate the importance of sustainable coastal fisheries.

The dialogue serves as a platform for CSOs, NSAs, and local communities to:

• Provide policy advice to Pacific leaders on key coastal fisheries challenges.
• Share on-the-ground experiences and lessons from community-based initiatives.
• Engage with governments and regional partners on sustainable coastal fisheries governance.

The CBF Dialogue Advisory Group (CBFD-AG) oversees the planning and implementation of the annual dialogue. It advises SPC on operational aspects such as setting the agenda, selecting participants, and appointing the convenor and vice-convenor.

The first day featured four key sessions:

Session 1 – Updates on CBFD4

Participants reflected on achievements from last year’s dialogue, including how recommendations were taken forward to Pacific fisheries leaders and lessons learned to shape future actions.

Session 2 – Voices of CSOs & NSAs

CSOs and NSAs from across the region shared their experiences—highlighting community-led successes, challenges faced on the ground, and pressing priorities to strengthen local fisheries management.

Session 3 – Information & Awareness

Discussions focused on impact-tracking, behaviour change strategies, and leveraging storytelling platforms like Echoes of Oceania to amplify community voices and foster regional learning.

Session 4 – CBFM Monitoring

Participants explored how local knowledge and accessible technologies can support long-term, intergenerational monitoring of community-based fisheries management (CBFM) across the Pacific.

The dialogue concludes today.

Photos: SPC

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