Further New Zealand support for Pacific fisheries
ONP Summary
Australia and Vanuatu have signed a bilateral economic and security agreement that prohibits foreign military bases on the island nation. The accord reflects Australia's response to China's expanding security footprint in the South Pacific, where Beijing and Western allies compete for regional influence. China has previously deepened its foothold in Vanuatu through police partnerships and equipment donations.
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New Zealand is backing Pacific nations’ fisheries through increased funding and support to drive innovation and help generate higher returns on tuna, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones say.
“The Pacific region supplies more than half of the world’s traded tuna. However, the countries in whose waters most tuna are caught do not always get a fair return on that catch,” Mr Peters says.
“Backing the Pacific-based fish processors who link coastal communities to the global marketplace is one way New Zealand can help change that.”
Mr Jones spoke at the opening of the 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting at Parliament this evening where he announced a funding boost for the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
“This increased support from New Zealand will help the FFA combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, build capacity across member countries, and ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of the region’s fisheries resources,” Mr Jones says.
The FFA will also be supported to drive the Pacific Islands Tuna Ventures programme (PITVP) which is focused on “value-add” opportunities for tuna fisheries.
“New Zealand’s funding, science, technical expertise and management know-how can help deliver better returns to Pacific fishers and their families,” Mr Peters says.
“One way to secure the future success of the sector is by helping businesses diversify production to capture higher returns from each tonne of tuna. This is the focus of the New Zealand-supported PITVP.”
The programme has already had success with projects turning previously wasted tuna by-products into pet food, fertiliser and high-value food products.
Pacific fisheries ministers are meeting in Wellington this week for the annual Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting and the Regional Fisheries Ministerial Meeting. It is the first time in 18 years New Zealand has hosted these meetings.
Mr Jones, who is chairing the ministerial meeting, says the funding highlights New Zealand’s commitment to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) as the key Pacific Island regional fisheries institution.
“As with New Zealand, fisheries provide significant income for many Pacific nations and are critical for their domestic food security.
“Fisheries span many marine boundaries and the tuna range widely, so managing them effectively and keeping their stocks healthy is a regional effort. This is why our support for the FFA is essential and why coming together in these meetings is important,” Mr Jones says. ...