BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The status of tuna stocks and the successful management of the four key species in the Pacific highlight the commitment and vision of regional leaders.

Reflecting on reports from the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General Noan Pakop emphasized the importance of managing skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore tuna.

He attributed this positive outcome to the establishment of regional and sub-regional agencies that play complementary roles in supporting fisheries management across the Pacific.

“Fisheries are crucial to the food security and economies of Pacific Island countries, providing between 50% and 90% of the dietary protein for coastal communities. Tuna consumption in the region is also two to five times the global average,” Pakop stated.

He added that the Pacific is making progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4, which aims to regulate harvesting and end overfishing.

However, he noted that while the Pacific’s vast ocean territory—spanning over 30 million square kilometers—offers significant economic benefits, it also presents challenges in monitoring and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“Through the FFA, we consolidate our positions on key management measures and work collectively within the WCPFC. As a bloc, we have helped design and implement several conservation measures that have contributed to the sustainability of our tuna stocks,” he said.

Pakop also acknowledged the crucial role of the Pacific Community (SPC) in providing scientific advice to both the WCPFC and FFA. He noted that through ministerial and official forums, regional stakeholders continue to discuss and implement effective fisheries management strategies.

“The SPC’s contributions, the role of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) in managing tuna stocks through the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS), and the Pacific Islands Forum’s strategic vision have all played an essential role in ensuring sustainable fisheries.
At the FFA, our leaders’ key values and principles, as highlighted at the NICE Leaders’ Meeting, have been incorporated into our strategic and business plans to guide our work in serving member states,” he concluded.

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