Fiji’s commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries management has been firmly underscored by the recent success of the 9th Pacific Tuna Forum, held on October 14-15 in Denarau. The event gathered 430 participants, including fisheries experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners, 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.”
In a ministerial statement presented in Parliament, Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, emphasized the significance of the forum in showcasing regional collaboration and reaffirming Fiji’s leadership in sustainable fisheries practices. Co-hosted with Papua New Guinea, the forum illustrated the Pacific’s unified approach toward the responsible management of its tuna resources, ensuring long-term benefits for local communities.
Bainivalu noted that the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) accounts for nearly 60 percent of the global tuna harvest and emphasized that effective fisheries management, alongside robust scientific monitoring, is evident through the current stock status in the region. To protect tuna stocks, Fiji has implemented various measures, including national quotas, licensing caps, and conservation efforts for other marine species like sharks, turtles, and marine mammals.
Fiji’s strategy also aims to boost onshore processing and value addition, which Bainivalu stated is crucial for capturing greater returns from the tuna industry. Despite the harvesting of approximately 1.5 million metric tonnes of tuna annually by Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members, only 214,000 tonnes are processed within those nations, highlighting lost opportunities in job creation and technology transfer.
The forum proved instrumental in allowing Fiji to engage directly with global industry leaders, contributing to its national strategy for enhancing returns from tuna. During the discussions, participants focused on four key pillars: resilience, innovation, equity, and sustainable trade, all aimed at guiding the industry toward sustainability and fair benefits for Pacific communities.
With the forum exceeding its target of 300 registered participants, Bainivalu expressed confidence in Fiji’s position as a leader in tuna management, supported by its fully domesticated longline fleet and established export markets, particularly in Japan, the U.S., and the EU. The event not only served as a platform for dialogue but also represented an opportunity for Fiji to strategize its development aspirations in the fisheries sector, with investments in cold-chain infrastructure and logistics.
Bainivalu concluded that the government’s budget allocation of $562,500 for the Forum reflects its commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and promoting sustainable fisheries management. The successful convening of this event indicates that with solidarity and a shared vision, the Pacific region can effectively safeguard and develop its rich tuna resources for the benefit of its communities.
This revitalization of Fiji’s fisheries sector offers hope for sustainable growth and collaborative development, further ensuring that Pacific Island nations can capitalize on their marine resources for economic stability and environmental sustainability.