Fiji is set to enhance its offshore fisheries, particularly tuna, in collaboration with members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and various development partners. This commitment was highlighted by Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, during her keynote address at the second FFA Development Partner Symposium held in Suva.
The two-day symposium brought together representatives from 17 FFA member governments and a range of development partners, all focusing on sustainable tuna fisheries in the Pacific region. The event’s theme, “Casting Together for Impactful Fisheries,” underscores the importance of collaboration and aligning resources to meet regional needs.
Bainivalu stressed that coordinated efforts are crucial for the sustainable prosperity of offshore fisheries, asserting that genuine success can be achieved when political will, effective management, and strategic investments are harmonized. She pointed out that the revenues generated from tuna and access arrangements play a significant role in boosting the national income of several Pacific Island nations.
In her address, the Minister referred to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which represents a collective vision among Pacific Leaders aimed at fostering resilience and prosperity through shared management of ocean resources, particularly in offshore fisheries. Her statement, “Casting together means aligning ambition with practical investment and ensuring cooperation delivers measurable outcomes,” underscores the gravity of aligning actions with goals.
Mona Ainuu, Chair of the Forum Fisheries Committee and Minister for Natural Resources in Niue, reinforced these messages during her opening comments. She affirmed that the success of fisheries in the Pacific is a result of dedicated and coordinated efforts along with the cultural practice of resource sharing within communities.
FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop emphasized that the symposium encourages productive dialogues among FFA members and partners, highlighting the necessity of transparency and mutual respect in their interactions. He underscored the critical need to collaboratively protect the marine treasures of the Blue Pacific.
Since its introduction in 2024, the Development Partner Symposium has acted as a vital platform for continued dialogue, aimed at enhancing transparency while addressing funding, technical cooperation, and unified fisheries priorities. Participants are set to evaluate progress, confront existing challenges, and delineate actionable strategies to improve fisheries management and bolster regional capabilities.
The event symbolizes a collective commitment from members and partners to safeguard Pacific tuna resources, ensuring that they continue to provide enduring economic and social benefits for communities dependent on them. The conclusion of this significant assembly is expected to pave the way for new initiatives in sustainable fisheries development across the region.