The East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) is rapidly emerging as a key platform aimed at maximizing economic, social, and employment opportunities derived from the Pacific tuna industry. Franklin Forau, Investment Facilitation Adviser at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), highlighted the initiative during his presentation at the 9th Pacific Tuna Forum in Nadi, Fiji. He emphasized that ENBi exemplifies a regional transformation towards enhanced Pacific ownership and value creation within the tuna value chain.
“Over 50 percent of the world’s tuna comes from our waters, yet only about 15 percent is processed locally,” stated Forau, reinforcing the need for change. The ENBi initiative was established in 2023 with support from regional leaders and is in alignment with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. It aims to foster collaboration among Pacific governments, the industry, and development partners towards sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.
The initiative features a ‘hubs and spokes’ model, identifying key processing hubs in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. This model allows smaller nations to leverage shared infrastructure, access markets, and benefit from collective expertise.
ENBi’s Working Group, led by Papua New Guinea with backing from FFA members and stakeholders, is actively pursuing studies and developing investment plans to create a regional development fund. This fund is intended to boost access to finance, infrastructure, and technical assistance, which are crucial for enhancing local tuna processing and value addition.
“Building on our strong fisheries management,” Forau remarked, “the Pacific now has a unique opportunity to translate that success into tangible economic and social benefits. ENBi provides the roadmap for this transformation—together, as a region.”
In the context of this initiative, past discussions, such as those at the Honiara Fisheries Summit, have underscored the importance of collaboration among Pacific Island nations to tackle shared challenges such as high operational costs and inadequate infrastructure. These sentiments echo commitments made under Sustainable Development Goal 14.4, which advocates for sustainable fisheries management and ecological integrity.
The optimistic vision set forth by ENBi also reflects a greater regional movement toward sustainable development and improved livelihoods for Pacific communities. By fostering innovation and equitable participation, ENBi aims to reshape the Pacific tuna industry, making it a vital driver of economic prosperity for present and future generations. The concerted efforts under this initiative symbolize hope for a resilient and sustainable development path for the entire Pacific region.