By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Papua New Guinea has sent a powerful message during the WCPFC22 conference, emphasizing that Pacific nations cannot shoulder additional burdens, relinquish hard-earned rights, or accept decisions that could hinder their development goals. Jelta Wong, the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources of PNG, articulated that their fisheries are essential to their way of life. He noted, “For us, our fisheries are not just a sector—they are lifelines. They fund schools, clinics, and infrastructure, and they sustain our people’s livelihoods and cultural identity.”
Wong asserted that PNG stands in solidarity with other Pacific nations in advocating for sustainable management practices based on scientific evidence, fairness, and the rights of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He expressed concern over the growing complexities in the Commission’s rules, warning that these changes might neglect the nations most reliant on tuna fishing.
He highlighted the importance of Article 30 of the WCPF Convention, which requires the WCPFC to ensure that conservation and management measures do not impose disproportionate burdens on small island developing states, while safeguarding their rights to pursue fisheries development that benefits their communities. Wong called for a mandatory review clause addressing the special requirements of SIDS in all new measures to assure equity rather than just assume it.
Despite facing severe impacts from climate change, Wong reaffirmed the Pacific countries’ commitment to compliance. “The Pacific did not create the climate crisis, yet we bear its brunt,” he said, pointing out that scientific evidence shows climate change is already affecting the distribution and productivity of crucial tuna stocks. He urged the Commission to ensure that climate-driven changes do not lead to a reallocation of benefits away from those who have historically conserved these resources and stressed the need to incorporate climate resilience into future measures.
Wong voiced PNG’s full support for two significant proposals from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)—one concerning the management of South Pacific albacore and the other focusing on high-seas transshipment reform. He described the South Pacific Albacore proposal as the result of extensive discussions endorsed by all 17 FFA member countries. Wong urged developed members to acknowledge the critical reliance that Pacific Island nations place on the decisions made at the conference.
Regarding high-seas transshipment, Wong supported the implementation of stricter rules that would confine these activities to ports. “By requiring transshipment in ports, we combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while ensuring transparency and accountability, safeguarding our tuna resources,” he stated. He noted that port-based transshipment not only combats IUU fishing but also drives domestic development by creating jobs, generating revenue, and ensuring that the economic benefits of fisheries are enjoyed by local communities.
Wong strongly cautioned against any erosion of national authority, emphasizing that the sovereign rights of member countries over their waters and resources must remain intact. He stated that regional decisions should respect and complement national laws and priorities. “Let us remember the Pacific is not asking for charity. We are demanding fairness. We are not passive recipients of global decisions—we are active architects of regional solutions,” Wong declared.
He urged conference delegates to embody “justice, equity, and the spirit of Pacific solidarity” in their discussions and decisions moving forward.
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