Pacific fisheries ministers meet in Wellington

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones will tomorrow welcome 16 Pacific Island fisheries ministers to Wellington for the Forum Fisheries Ministerial Committee this week.

Mr Jones is chairing the annual meeting, which brings together 17 Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members with a focus on the sustainable management of shared fisheries resources, primarily tuna, throughout the Pacific region. 

“New Zealand and its Pacific Island partners work together collectively to manage sustainable fisheries in the region, and it’s an honour to host my counterparts from around the Pacific here in Wellington,” Mr Jones says.

The Western and Central Pacific Ocean provides over 50 per cent of the world’s tuna, worth around $9.9 billion.

“Around 80 percent of this tuna is caught within the Exclusive Economic Zones of Pacific Island FFA member countries. Revenue from tuna contributes significantly to Pacific Island economies.

“The annual meeting of Pacific Fisheries Ministers is an opportunity to engage on the collective sustainable management of this regional resource,” Mr Jones says.

Pacific Fisheries Ministers are continuing work on improving management of South Pacific albacore, including working with other fishing nations to set sustainable limits in both the high seas and Exclusive Economic Zones. 

The Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency, established in 1979, plays a critical role in the region, Mr Jones says.

“Like our Pacific Island partners, we’re a fishing nation and we share a common interest to ensure fisheries beyond our borders are managed sustainably.

“Highly migratory fish, like tuna, move throughout the Pacific and are fished by several countries. It’s essential we work together to manage the long-term sustainability of these fish stocks.

“Pacific countries rely heavily on fishery resources for economic development, livelihoods and food security. Collectively, we are all working on increasing the value these fisheries bring to regional Pacific economies,” Mr Jones says. 

New Zealand is also hosting the Regional Fisheries Ministers meeting (RFMM) this week, supported by the Pacific community. The RFMM covers broader regional ocean issues.

The Forum Fisheries Committee meets annually, providing an opportunity for Ministers to set the strategic direction for management of the region’s tuna resources and provide governance oversight of the Forum Fisheries Agency secretariat.

New Zealand, alongside Australia, is one of the key funders of the Forum Fisheries Agency through International Development Cooperation.

The meetings conclude on 2 July. ...