Fiji has reaffirmed its dedication to ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries management through the successful hosting of the 9th Pacific Tuna Forum on October 14-15 in Denarau. The event attracted 430 participants, including fisheries experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners, who convened to discuss the future of the Pacific tuna industry under the theme “Pacific Tuna 2050: Resilience, Innovation, Equity, and Sustainable Trade for a Prosperous Future.”
During a ministerial statement presented in Parliament, Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, highlighted the forum’s role in promoting regional collaboration and reinforcing Fiji’s leadership in sustainable fisheries practices. Co-hosted with Papua New Guinea, the forum showcased the Pacific’s collective approach to responsibly managing its tuna resources, ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.
Bainivalu emphasized the importance of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), which accounts for nearly 60 percent of the global tuna harvest. She pointed out that effective fisheries management and robust scientific monitoring have contributed to the current stock status in the region. In a proactive move to protect tuna stocks, Fiji has adopted numerous measures including national quotas, licensing caps, and efforts to conserve other marine species like sharks, turtles, and marine mammals.
The strategy also includes enhancing onshore processing and adding value to products, which Bainivalu called essential for maximizing returns from the tuna industry. While the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members harvest approximately 1.5 million metric tonnes of tuna each year, only about 214,000 tonnes are processed locally, indicating significant opportunities for job creation and technology transfer that remain untapped.
The forum provided a vital platform for Fiji to engage with global industry leaders and align its national strategy with the broader goals of enhancing returns from tuna. Discussions centered around four key pillars: resilience, innovation, equity, and sustainable trade, all aimed at fostering industry sustainability and ensuring fair benefits for Pacific communities.
With participation surpassing the target of 300 registered attendees, Bainivalu expressed optimism about Fiji’s leadership role in tuna management, bolstered by its fully domesticated longline fleet and strong export markets, particularly in Japan, the U.S., and the EU. The event not only facilitated crucial dialogue but also represented an opportunity for Fiji to refine its strategic development aspirations in the fisheries sector, including investments in cold-chain infrastructure and logistics.
Concluding the forum, Bainivalu noted that the government’s budget allocation of $562,500 reflects its commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and advancing sustainable fisheries management. The successful outcome of this event indicates that through unity and a shared vision, the Pacific region can effectively protect and develop its rich tuna resources for the welfare of its communities.
This revitalization of Fiji’s fisheries sector not only bodes well for sustainable growth and collaborative development but also reinforces the potential for Pacific Island nations to leverage their marine resources for economic stability and long-term environmental sustainability.