Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue opened the 24th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting (FFCMin24) and the 6th Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting this week in Alofi, Niue. He posed a reflective question on how to continue reinforcing unity among Pacific nations with the goal of a sustainable future for regional fisheries.
The meeting, coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), has brought together Fisheries Ministers and senior officials from the region to discuss sustainable practices and strategies vital to fisheries management. Tagelagi acknowledged the rarity of such gatherings in Niue and urged regional leaders to meet annually, emphasizing the need for collective regionalism.
The outgoing Chair of the FFC, Erana Aliklik from Nauru, transitioned leadership to the new Chair, Mona Ainu’u, who highlighted the deep connection Pacific people have with the ocean. She stressed the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern fisheries management to combat challenges posed by climate change and illegal fishing. “Our job as leaders is to endorse, to support, and to ensure our Blue Pacific Continent is well served together,” Ainu’u remarked.
FFA Director General Noan Pakop recognized regional successes, noting a more than 50 percent reduction in illegal fishing since 2016 and the ongoing health of key tuna stocks — skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore — attributed to effective leadership and regional unity.
The meeting saw the launch of Moana Voices magazine, which celebrates the contributions of women in the fisheries sector. Ainu’u called attention to the essential roles women play behind the scenes, stating, “Behind every vessel, every export figure, every tuna on the market, are people. And many of them are women – working quietly behind the scenes.”
Over the next three days, discussions will cover a range of topics including the Fisheries Roadmap, Ocean Literacy Initiative, implementation updates from the FFA’s Climate Change Strategy, and regional development initiatives. The meeting is set to conclude with the adoption of an official communiqué outlining the agreed-upon priorities ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands later this year.
The gathering not only reflects a commitment to sustainable fisheries but also fosters a hopeful outlook for regional collaboration and mutual support in addressing pressing environmental challenges. Such collective efforts are vital for ensuring the health of ocean resources that many communities depend on now and for future generations.
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