Pacific Island nations are being urged to take greater ownership of their marine resources, particularly through enhanced local tuna processing capabilities. Jelta Wong, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, emphasized the necessity for these nations to transition from merely supplying raw tuna to becoming integral stakeholders in their own fisheries. This shift is vital for ensuring that the economic benefits of tuna remain within the local communities, empowering them through job creation and sustainable development.
Wong highlighted that investing in local processing is not only essential for economic stability but is also central to creating ancillary industries in logistics, packaging, marketing, and transportation. This comprehensive approach, he argues, generates social value by providing employment opportunities and fostering a robust economy centered around tuna resources. Furthermore, local processing serves a crucial role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by allowing better supply chain monitoring, enhanced traceability, and improved community transparency.
“Controlling the processing means controlling the supply chain,” Wong stated, outlining how such oversight equips communities with legal and profitable alternatives to deter illegal activities. He underscored the importance of this initiative for the future, noting that the benefits derived from locally processed tuna are tied to food security for current and future generations. This sentiment aligns with broader regional initiatives, like the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), which aims to unify Pacific nations for improved management and sustainable development of tuna fisheries.
Wong’s vision resonates with discussions echoed at recent summits, including the Honiara Summit on Sustainable Fisheries, which highlighted the importance of collective action among Pacific Island nations. Leaders, including Wong, are advocating for increased regional cooperation to diminish reliance on external entities and to bolster local economies.
The Pacific region’s proactive steps toward sustainable fisheries management are a foretelling of promising prospects for local communities. Collaborative efforts and strategic investments in tuna processing are expected not only to fortify the local economy but also ensure that future generations inherit a sustainable marine environment. This vision for empowered local fisheries management carries hope for more resilient economies and thriving communities across the Pacific.
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