Byline: Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

Forum fisheries ministers sign off on important GEF report

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The Honourable Marion Henry, Federated States of Micronesia, signs the SAP. Hon. Henry was the FFC Ministerial Chair at this meeting, and the representative of the host government.

HONIARA, 26 June 2019 – Fisheries ministers attending the 16th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, last week signed off on a key report, the Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of Living Oceanic Resources by the Small Island Developing States of the Western and Central Pacific (the Strategic Action Programme or SAP), for submission to the Global Environment Facility (GEF). 

The Strategic Action Programme is the culmination of two years of work undertaken with the support of the GEF under the FFA-implemented Pacific Island Oceanic Fisheries Management Project II. The SAP outlines a clear set of priority actions to address issues identified in a situational analysis study of regional oceanic fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific, the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), which was completed and endorsed by FFC Officials in 2018.

“The signing in support of the SAP by our respective members’ ministers is yet another fine example of regional cooperation at its best,” said FFA Director-General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen. 

“The SAP demonstrates our common agreement on the key oceanic fisheries issues faced by the region and how we can take action to address them.

“GEF support has played a significant role in providing strategic assistance to FFA members in addressing oceanic fisheries challenges in the framework of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the region is very thankful for this support to date. We hope to see this support sustained as we continue to address these challenges and protect our fisheries resources for future generations to come,” she said. 

Key issues to be addressed under the SAP include the impacts of climate change for the ecology and fisheries of the region, and the subsequent implications for the socio-economic status, livelihoods and food security of Pacific peoples; the need for stronger and more resilient adaptive ecosystem-based management approach that can adjust rapidly to changing conditions through mechanisms such as harvest strategies and bycatch management including the use of fish aggregating devices; and supporting innovations in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Ministerial sign-off of the SAP is a key step in the GEF process for the possible development of a follow-up Pacific Regional Oceanic Fisheries Project to support Pacific Island countries tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

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For more information and photos contact:
Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, +679 9265 518, donna.hoerder@ffa.int

About the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). FFA assists its 17 member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile exclusive economic zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members, who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision-making on tuna management. www.ffa.int

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First ever fisheries policy dialogue between the EU and Pacific

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EU delegation and FFA Members in discussion at the first FFA-EU policy dialogue. Photo: FFA

Republished from Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), 21 June 2019

POHNPEI, 21 June 2019 – For the first time in the Pacific region, a policy dialogue between the seventeen (17) Forum Fishery Agency (FFA) Members and the European Union (EU) to discuss issues and challenges relating to the sustainable management of marine resources commenced in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia today.

Marine resources not only form the backbone of the Pacific economy, and plays an important role towards their economic development, but it is alsoessential to the livelihood, well-being and prosperity of the Pacific people. Therefore, the sustainable management of marine resources is vital for present and future generations.

FFA Director General, Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen said: “This policy dialogue is important because it is an opportunity for FFA members and the EU to have an in depth discussion on key issues relating to the sustainable management of tuna in our region, its importance for Pacific Island countries, and our cooperation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to tackle issues like Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. This will further contribute to ensuring the sustainability of this critical resource for our people beyond the lifetime of the programme and that is what we value.”

The two-day meeting, which is organised under the framework of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme- a four-year initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Sweden will also focus on the cooperation between the EU and FFA Member countries, implementation of regional and international measures aimed at reducing Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) fishing and trade-related negotiations to remove fisheries subsidies.

The Acting Head of Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Mr. Corrado Pampaloni said fishery play a key role for many Small Island States, both in terms of food security and economic and social development. The EU is proud to be supporting the rightful development aspiration of small developing island states, while ensuring the overarching goal of sustainable fisheries and improved governance.

Eu delegation at the EU-FFA policy dialogue. Photo: FFA

“As the life force that sustains our planet and every person on it, the EU will continue to support every effort to manage our oceans more sustainably –  for the benefit of local communities in the Pacific, and for of many the generations to come. The EU remains the largest fisheries consumer in the world and is a very important export market, particularly for the Pacific fisheries products. For these reasons, the EU has a key interest to maintain healthy fish stocks for future generations. The on-going discussions in an open and transparent manner will benefit both sides, and improve our understanding of main challenges and opportunities. I strongly believe that this first policy dialogue paves the way for increased cooperation between the EU and the Pacific region for the sustainable management of marine resources,” said Mr. Pampaloni.

Funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden, the EUR 45 million PEUMP programme promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity. It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action. The programme is being implemented in close collaboration by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The Policy Dialogue is planned as an annual event under PEUMP.

#ENDS#

For more information and photos contact:

Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, ph: +677 7733097 donna.hoerder@ffa.int 

Mohammed Nazeem Kasim, EU Press and Information Officer, Email: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu  or telephone +679 3313 633

Fisheries Ministers set course for the future of Pacific tuna fisheries

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Skipjack purse-seine. (Photo: Undercurrent News)

POHNPEI, 21 June 2019 – This week, Pacific fisheries Ministers and senior government representatives met in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia to progress work that will ensure the region’s major offshore resource – tuna – is not only managed well and sustainably, but continues to provide the social and economic benefits for our Pacific people.

Ministers and senior representatives chartered the course for the future of regional tuna fisheries.  Notable outcomes endorsed at the conclusion of the 16th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministers meeting are: 

  • Affirmed climate change as the single greatest threat to the security of the region and a clear directive to work on adaptive and robust management regimes to respond to the impacts of climate change.
  • Agreed a Regional Longline Strategy to establish zone-based limits for longline fishing within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and to limit longline fishing activity on the high seas. 
  • Enhanced protection of the rights of crew on fishing vessels against human rights abuses at sea, including commitment to apply new conditions to domestic as well as foreign vessels.
  • Supported the challenge from RMI’s President for an IUU Free Pacific by 2023 and welcomed FSM’s leadership on electronic monitoring and Technology for Tuna Transparency (T3)
  • Engaged in negotiations to ban harmful fisheries subsidies to deliver on the SDG Target 14.6, noting that any outcome should not unnecessarily constrain the ability of SIDS to develop their domestic fisheries.   
  • Welcomed and approved the new FFA Strategic Plan 2020-2025, developed in close consultation with Members, that sets out the vision, mission and outcomes for the Secretariat.

FFA Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said: “The outcomes are bold and far-reaching and reflect the strong guidance and leadership of our Ministers as well as the spirit of cooperation that binds us.

“The Secretariat will work closely with its members to deliver on these outcomes and looks forward to collaborating with our regional and international partners.”

Taking their cue from Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to establish an annual meeting to consider coastal fisheries and ocean issues related to fisheries, Ministers held a Special Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting. At this meeting, Ministers endorsed their terms of reference for consideration by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their meeting in August.

“The Special Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting that took place yesterday provided an excellent platform for non-tuna and broader fisheries-related matters to be discussed,” said Dr. Tupou-Roosen.

Discussions focused on coastal fisheries and aquaculture issues; climate change and its impact on Pacific fisheries; as well as emerging environmental issues and their impact on fisheries, including marine litter, mercury levels in fish and ingestion of plastic.

At the end of the two fisheries meetings, Dr. Tupou-Roosen commended Ministers of the progress made. She said: “Our Members have demonstrated their keen commitment to progress on our shared goals to make an enduring positive difference on the lives of our Pacific people.”

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The FFC 16th Ministerial Meeting Outcomes document or Communique can be viewed and downloaded here. For more information and photos contact Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, ph: +691 920 7189   donna.hoerder@ffa.int

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. www.ffa.int

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#Ourfishourfuture #tuna #forumfisheries #fisheries2019 #FFA40yrs #FFA40th

First ever fisheries policy dialogue between the EU and Pacific

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Fisheries Ministers and senior government representatives with Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) at the opening of the Forum Fisheries Committee 16th Ministerial Meeting (FFCMin16)

POHNPEI, 21 June 2019 — For the first time in the Pacific region, a policy dialogue between the seventeen (17) Forum Fishery Agency (FFA) Members and the European Union (EU) to discuss issues and challenges relating to the sustainable management of marine resources commenced in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia today. 

Marine resources not only form the backbone of the Pacific economy, and plays an important role towards their economic development, but it is also essential to the livelihood, well-being and prosperity of the Pacific people. Therefore, the sustainable management of marine resources is vital for present and future generations.

FFA Director General, Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen said: “This policy dialogue is important because it is an opportunity for FFA members and the EU to have an in depth discussion on key issues relating to the sustainable management of tuna in our region, its importance for Pacific Island countries, and our cooperation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to tackle issues like Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“This will further contribute to ensuring the sustainability of this critical resource for our people beyond the lifetime of the programme and that is what we value.”

The two-day meeting, which is organised under the framework of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme- a four-year initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Sweden will also focus on the cooperation between the EU and FFA Member countries, implementation of regional and international measures aimed at reducing Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) fishing and trade-related negotiations to remove fisheries subsidies.

The Acting Head of Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, Mr. Corrado Pampaloni said fishery play a key role for many Small Island States, both in terms of food security and economic and social development.

The EU is proud to be supporting the rightful development aspiration of small developing island states, while ensuring the overarching goal of sustainable fisheries and improved governance.

“As the life force that sustains our planet and every person on it, the EU will continue to support every effort to manage our oceans more sustainably –  for the benefit of local communities in the Pacific, and for of many the generations to come.

“The EU remains the largest fisheries consumer in the world and is a very important export market, particularly for the Pacific fisheries products. For these reasons, the EU has a key interest to maintain healthy fish stocks for future generations.

“The on-going discussions in an open and transparent manner will benefit both sides, and improve our understanding of main challenges and opportunities. I strongly believe that this first policy dialogue paves the way for increased cooperation between the EU and the Pacific region for the sustainable management of marine resources,” said Mr. Pampaloni.

Funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden, the EUR 45 million PEUMP programme promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.

It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related oceanic fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action.

The programme is being implemented in close collaboration by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

The Policy Dialogue is planned as an annual event under PEUMP

For more information and photos contact:

Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, ph: +677 7733097 donna.hoerder@ffa.int 

Mohammed Nazeem Kasim, EU Press and Information Officer, Email: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu  or telephone +679 3313 633 

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. www.ffa.int

Follow us on Facebook | on Twitter

Annual Forum Fisheries Ministerial meeting kicks off in Micronesia

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Longliners in the Solomon Islands. Photo: Francisco Blaha.

POHNPEI, 16 June 2019 – The 16th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial meeting begins tomorrow in Pohnpei, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, and will tackle a broad range of issues aimed at protecting and securing the long term interests of Pacific Island countries over the region’s valuable tuna resources.

“The Western and Central Pacific is home to the biggest tuna fishery in the world and 60 percent of the catch is taken from the waters of FFA member countries – amounting to around 30 percent of global tuna catches.  So this is a critical meeting for the region.  Ministers recognise that we must ensure our major offshore resource – tuna – is not only managed sustainably, but that we increase the social and economic benefits that it provides for our Pacific people,” said Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency.

The meeting which brings together Fisheries Ministers and high level delegates from across the region is being hosted by the National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA) and chaired by the Honourable Marion Henry, Secretary of the Department of Resources and Development.

Key priorities that will be tabled are:

  • The new FFA Strategic Plan 2020-2025 which will provide direction for the work of the FFA and its Members over the coming five years
  • The impact of climate change on tuna fisheries and working in collaboration with regional and international partners to help FFA Members mitigate and adapt to these impacts
  • Finalising a new Regional Longline Strategy to underpin strengthened management of longline fisheries, particularly on the high seas, and improved profitability for Pacific Island longline operations
  • Addressing human rights abuses and labour conditions for crew on fishing vessels to ensure there is no place for modern slavery in Pacific tuna fisheries
  • Technology for Tuna Transparency (T3) Challenge which looks at using electronic monitoring to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and improve transparency of tuna catches
  • The areas of ongoing work by the Secretariat and Members to combat IUU fishing with a particular focus on emerging technologies, electronic reporting and electronic monitoring, Persons of Interest and the Regional Aerial Surveillance Programme.
  • Agreed priorities to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission annual meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in December.

In addition, for the first time there will be an additional one-day meeting of Fisheries Ministers to consider wider fisheries issues including coastal fisheries management and the impacts of marine pollution.  “This is an exciting development and will ensure greater cooperation by all regional agencies working on fisheries and ensure Ministers are able to provide effective oversight of all fisheries issues in the region” said Dr Tupou-Roosen.

##ENDS##

For more information and photos contact:

Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, +691 920 5332  donna.hoerder@ffa.int

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. www.ffa.int

Follow us on Facebook | on Twitter

#Ourfishourfuture #tuna #forumfisheries #fisheries2019 #FFA40yrs #FFA40th

FFA’s smallest fisheries surveillance Operation still covers an area 22 times the size of New Zealand

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The Operation Tui Moana 2019 team. Photo: FFA.

HONIARA, 4 June, 2019 – Operation Tui Moana 2019 is the smallest regional fisheries surveillance operation conducted by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) yet it still covers a total area of six million square kilometres, equivalent to an area 22 times the size of New Zealand.

The twelve-day operation to detect, deter, report and/or apprehend potential illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing activity ended on 31 May 2019. It involved seven FFA member nations – Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu, and the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (QUADs) made up of Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States defence forces. It also included one of the FFA King Air aircraft from the Pacific Maritime Security Aerial Surveillance Programme operated by FFA.

During the Operation, 57 vessels were boarded and only five minor infringements were found including one vessel with a fish species that was not in accordance with its licence, another with an unsigned logbook after a day of fishing and one that was not carrying line cutters and de-hookers – a requirement for all longline vessels to help ensure they can promptly release sea turtles that are caught or entangled. These infringements have been reported to member countries for further investigation.

“FFA conducts four Operations every year and Tui Moana is the second this year. Lately we have found a steady decline in fisheries infringements and this is very likely due to our regular coordinated regional patrols,” said FFA’s Director of Fisheries Operations, Allan Rahari.

As a regional surveillance operation, Operation Tui Moana involved over one hundred personnel from across the region, with joint coordination led by the FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) team.

During the operation eight police, fisheries and military personnel were based at the RFSC and trained in the use of the vessel monitoring systems and associated software.

“The Operation teaches them to experience how the Operations Room functions during a multi asset and nation Operation.  The intention is for these officers to be able to utilize what they have learnt in the RFSC in their own headquarters during their own surveillance operations,” said Mr. Rahari.

##ENDS##

For more information and photos contact Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, ph: +677 773 3097 donna.hoerder@ffa.int

About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make sovereign decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. www.ffa.int

Follow us on Facebook | on Twitter

#Ourfishourfuture #tuna #forumfisheries #fisheries2019 #FFA40yrs #FFA40th