BY BEN BILUA
Changes in the United States’ foreign policy have placed renewed pressure on the long-standing Tuna Treaty between the US and Pacific Island countries.
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Acting Director of Governance and Engagement, Salome Taufa, revealed this during her presentation at the Pre-Forum Media Training yesterday.
Taufa said the US Tuna Treaty remains a critical source of revenue for many Pacific nations, and disruptions to the agreement could have long-term consequences for small island states.
She said the Pacific region has been directly and indirectly affected when the US changed its policy.
Taufa said the issue had been raised during the Fisheries Ministers’ meeting, where members agreed to escalate the matter to the highest level for further deliberation.
She also highlighted efforts earlier this year to repair and strengthen relations with Washington.
“Early this year, there was a mission led by the Forum Chair, supported by the Secretary General, to the US. They had good meetings there. It was trying to reestablish and just trying to strengthen the relationship with the US. Of course, the U.S. Treaty was one that was on the agenda in trying to improve the relationship,” Taufa said.
She stressed that the Tuna Treaty is likely to feature on the agenda at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting next week.
The South Pacific Tuna Treaty, which was signed in 1987 and entered into force in June 1988, allows U.S.-flagged purse seine vessels to fish within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Pacific Island parties in return for access fees and U.S. government assistance.
The treaty is seen as an effort to balance U.S. commercial fishing interests with Pacific nations’ sovereignty over their marine resources.
Sixteen Pacific Island nations are parties to the treaty, alongside the United States. These include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Over the years, the treaty has undergone several reviews. A major change came in 2016, shifting the framework to provide U.S. vessels with a set number of fishing days while allowing the U.S. to purchase additional access directly from Pacific states.
In March 2024, the U.S. and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) signed a new 10-year financial package following the expiry of the previous arrangement in June 2023. The agreement includes an annual $60 million contribution from the U.S. government, supplemented by industry fees, along with an additional $10 million in 2023 for economic development and climate change-related projects. The deal is set to run until 2033.
Despite this renewal, concerns remain over how shifts in U.S. policy may affect the stability and future of the treaty.
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