Officials have attained a notable consensus on the long-discussed allocation of South Pacific Albacore (SPA) tuna within the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) member countries located south of the equator. This significant agreement, reached during discussions in Niue, marks a watershed moment in regional fisheries cooperation that has been in the making for nearly two decades.
The newly established allocations will serve as the foundation for a binding agreement under the FFA Allocation Framework for SPA, solidifying the region’s dedication to sustainable and equitable management of tuna fisheries. Niue Cabinet Minister Mona Ainu’u, who chairs the Forum Fisheries Committee, heralded this decision as a pivotal moment for the Pacific, emphasizing that the SPA tuna is essential for the longline fisheries and economies of numerous coastal nations.
“This agreement signifies our unity and our resolve to secure our resources for future generations while also ensuring fair economic returns today,” Ainu’u stated.
The framework aims to bolster the region’s influence in future negotiations with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). This includes the establishment of a management procedure for SPA that will recognize zone-based and high seas management approaches.
FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop highlighted the significance of this decision, reflecting a cooperative spirit among Pacific nations that underscores a science-based approach to fisheries management. This collective achievement embodies the Pacific Way of cooperation, vital for maintaining the region’s tuna stocks and economic stability.
Additionally, this agreement aligns with the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable fisheries, echoing themes from previous conferences and cooperative frameworks that aim to ensure the long-term viability of crucial marine resources. With a unified front, the Pacific nations are making strides toward protecting their fisheries, thus encouraging both ecological sustainability and economic resilience.
As regional nations continue to work together, there is a hopeful outlook that such agreements will not only safeguard natural resources for the future but also enhance local economies that rely on these vital fish stocks. Through this commitment to collaboration and responsible management, the prospects for the Pacific Island nations appear promising.
Leave a comment