Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Alitia Bainivalu, has emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation and investment to help Pacific nations harness greater economic benefits from offshore fisheries. Speaking at the Development Partners Symposium in Suva, organized by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Bainivalu discussed the significance of the symposium’s theme, “Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries.” She described this theme as timely and strategic, underscoring the necessity of coordinated efforts among countries and institutions to achieve long-term prosperity in the fishing sector.
Bainivalu highlighted that offshore fisheries, particularly tuna, are vital economic resources for many Pacific Island nations, with effective management serving as a prerequisite for sustainable development. She stressed that while managing these resources is essential, it is the development strategies that will determine how significantly these fisheries can transform regional economies.
As part of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Bainivalu noted a collective commitment to ensuring the region’s resilience and prosperity, with offshore fisheries playing a central role. She pointed out the evolving challenges posed by climate change affecting tuna distribution, rising demands for transparency, and increased competition for marine resources.
To secure enhanced long-term value from tuna resources, Bainivalu outlined several priorities: strengthening domestic and regional processing capabilities, improving logistics and supply chain efficiency, investing in data systems, advancing digital monitoring and reporting technologies, and ensuring that more economic value remains within Pacific economies. She emphasized that while sustainability is crucial, the true measure of success will be seen in job creation and the resilience of local communities.
Moreover, Bainivalu acknowledged the essential support from development partners in fisheries governance and monitoring, advocating for increased collaboration in areas such as climate adaptation, advanced analytics, electronic monitoring, processing infrastructure, and innovative financing solutions.
Looking towards 2050, she envisions a Pacific region that maintains its pivotal role in the global tuna supply, captures more economic value from offshore fisheries, and boasts a tuna sector characterized by sustainability and real impact. Bainivalu expressed Fiji’s readiness to collaborate with FFA members and development partners to realize this unified vision, emphasizing that cooperation is most effective when grounded in clarity, discipline, and long-term goals.
This proactive approach represents a hopeful strategy for the future of Pacific fisheries, aiming to enhance economic benefits while preserving the marine environment for generations to come.
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