BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Honiara Summit 2025 focuses on life underwater said Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Deputy Secretary Technical Mr. James Teri.

Speaking at a press conference last week ahead of the Ocean Summit that kick-started today in Honiara, Mr Teri said that SDG 14.4 is focused on life underwater and it is on sustainable fisheries.

“The summit focuses on sustainable fisheries, particularly regulating harvesting of fish stock, and addressing overharvesting fishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and destructive fishing. That’s the focus of this summit,’’ he said.

He said there has been progress on SDG 14.4 for the Solomon Islands in putting measures to manage stocks from oceanic fisheries to coastal fisheries which 80% of the population relies heavily on.

“That is one component which is part of this summit. So, it’s not just the oceanic fisheries, it’s the coastal fisheries as well,’’ said Teri.

He said that the Government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources have been working with rural communities to manage coastal fisheries resources. 

“We have been collaborating with the SPC and FFA at the regional level,’’ he said.

Mr Teri said that while efforts have been made to address the issues there are also challenges faced in these endeavours.

 “Lack of data is one challenge we were facing.  Resources and finance are a challenge for the region. Those are some challenges to be raised at the summit for the international community to address some of our challenges.

He said that hosting the summit demonstrates Solomon Islands’ leadership in the region in trying to have sustainable fisheries for the international community. 

“I think that’s one benefit of the summit itself,’’ he said.

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