Fiji is making significant strides in securing a steady supply of tuna through discussions with its Pacific neighbors, according to Fisheries Minister Alitia Bainivalu, who addressed Parliament regarding the progress in negotiations. These talks involve Kiribati and Tuvalu, both crucial members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) which oversees approximately 60 percent of the tuna supply in the western and central Pacific.
In response to an inquiry from Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya, Bainivalu highlighted the importance of these negotiations for the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) based in Levuka. She noted that substantial progress has been made in establishing access agreements for Fiji-flagged vessels and formalizing arrangements for processing fish at PAFCO. Meetings with Kiribati’s Fisheries Minister in Niue and Tuvalu’s Head of Fisheries in Suva are part of this effort, focusing on creating favorable terms for tuna access and processing.
Bainivalu also mentioned Fiji’s engagement with two other regional fisheries management organizations – the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). These efforts are aimed at positioning Fiji’s longline fleet to access new fishing grounds, especially important as scientific assessments project a shift in tuna biomass distribution toward eastern and northern waters by 2050.
Moreover, Fiji is collaborating with the Forum Fisheries Agency to establish a Tuna Processing Hub that would enhance local processing capabilities, ensuring that regional catch is processed domestically rather than at foreign facilities. Implementing this model will necessitate improvements in port facilities and the support structures of the PAFCO plant.
Additionally, Fiji’s involvement in the East New Britain Initiative seeks to create investment pathways for tuna processing and marketing, enhancing competitiveness while addressing barriers to market access. Bainivalu acknowledged that securing adequate funding remains critical, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to modernize Fiji’s tuna fleet and support its ambitions in the global market.
In light of these developments, the Minister expressed a commitment to reinforcing Fiji’s status as a tuna processing hub and enhancing supply chain efficiency for PAFCO. This ongoing effort showcases the government’s dedication to fostering regional collaboration and creating pathways for investment that will elevate the socioeconomic performance of Fiji’s tuna industry. The focus on sustainability and cooperation signals hope for the future, not just for Fiji’s fishing sector but for its broader economic recovery and growth within the region.