BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A study undertaken to quantify Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Pacific tuna fisheries highlighted that licensed vessels continue to dominate IUU fishing.

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director of Fisheries Operations Division Mr Allan Rahari said the study was undertaken by FFA in 2016 and further updated in 2021.

“The study did highlight one key area of significance to the region, and that is IUU estimates continue to be dominated by authorized or licensed vessels engaged in unreported fishing,’’ said Rahari.

“So, this is a key finding and has shaped some of the strategies to address IUU fishing. The focus is on unreported fishing,’’ he said.

Speaking during a side event at the Honiara summit, Rahari said that unlicensed fishing remains an issue.

“So mainly incursions of small-scale Southeast vessels into the EZs adjacent to Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia, Philippines, and so forth,’’ he said.

He said that estimates of illegal transshipment have declined, but monitoring and control are works in progress to strengthen the validation of transshipment volumes.

He said that one of the key messages from this study is the need for a stronger Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) arrangement in FFA members’ EZs to be mirrored on the high seas.

“There is a need to ensure that the rules that are applied in EZs are applied on the high seas so that the stuff that’s been managed, the rules apply consistently across both the EZs and the high seas. A key IUU risk for the Pacific is unreported fishing,’’ he said.

He said that while other IUU risks are equally important, the focus of existing strategies and key activities is to address unreported fishing.

He said that activities implemented to address this risk within the region includes implementing electronic reporting and electronic monitoring tools, strengthening analytical capacity at national and regional level, undertaking quality boarding inspections both at sea and in port, strengthening cuts reporting requirements under national laws, and strengthening catch monitoring during transshipment at sea and landing.

“These are some of the activities currently being undertaken in the region to address the issue of unreported fishing,’’ he said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Failure to properly manage marine resources is simply not an option, stressed Ms. Moss-Christian, Executive Director of the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), during the Honiara Summit.

Ms. Christian stated that the cooperation among members of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), particularly through subgroupings such as the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and the South Pacific Group (SPG), along with their collaboration with other WCPFC members, has been a key factor in maintaining healthy fish stock levels in the Pacific.

She emphasized that what makes WCPFC’s mission truly special is the vision of Pacific leaders that inspired its creation.

“These leaders foresaw a future where science and cooperation would safeguard not only fisheries but also the livelihoods and traditions of our people,” she said.

“Their forward-thinking spirit reminds us that sustainable management is as much about preserving culture as it is about managing resources,” Ms. Christian added.

She noted that WCPFC has built upon this vision of strong collaboration, benefiting from the contributions of non-SIDS members, including Japan, the U.S., and Korea, whose expertise and commitment have played a crucial role in achieving shared goals.

She also highlighted the pressing challenges posed by climate change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, warning that if left unaddressed, these issues would put immense strain on fishery resources.

“The rapid advancement of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) is also reshaping the way we manage fisheries. This era of information will challenge our organization to be more transparent, more forthcoming with data, and ultimately, more effective,” she said.

“Looking ahead, our mission remains clear: protect our fisheries, support our communities, and honor the visionary legacy that gave birth to the WCPFC. This isn’t just about setting regulations—it’s about upholding a promise to the people who depend on these waters every day,” she concluded.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Achieving SDG 14.4 requires sustained cooperation among Pacific nations, development partners, and stakeholders, said Elina P. Akinaga, Minister for the Federated States of Micronesia’s Ministry of Resources and Development.

She stated that FSM stands with its Pacific neighbors in calling for stronger regional cooperation, enhanced monitoring, and greater recognition of Pacific nations’ sovereign rights over the region’s fisheries resources.

“We must work together to secure fair access to fisheries resources, strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and maximize economic returns while safeguarding the integrity of our fisheries,” she said.

Akinaga emphasized that through the FFA, the Pacific’s collective efforts have demonstrated strong leadership in achieving SDG 14.4.

“Now, we must push further—securing equitable access to fisheries resources, expanding value-added fisheries development, and ensuring that the benefits of our ocean resources remain in the hands of our people,” she said.

“As we move forward, let us continue to build on our shared vision—a resilient Blue Pacific Continent where our fisheries are not only protected but also provide lasting prosperity for generations to come,” she added.

She reaffirmed FSM’s commitment to sustainable fisheries and the importance of regional collaboration in achieving shared goals under SDG 14.4.

“As custodians of some of the world’s richest tuna stocks, we in FSM recognize that ensuring the sustainability of these resources is not just an economic imperative—it is a responsibility to future generations,” she concluded.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

SDG 14.4 will remain relevant as long as there is demand for fish and fisheries products, said Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong.

Speaking at the recently concluded Honiara Summit, Wong emphasized that Pacific nations can achieve more if they stand together.

“The tasks outlined in SDG 14.4 such as effectively regulating harvesting, combating overfishing, addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, eliminating destructive fishing practices, and implementing modern, science-based management plans to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible are ongoing responsibilities,” he said.

Wong highlighted the stark reality of the global fisheries industry.

 “They told us they were the tuna capital of the world. But they didn’t have any tuna. They didn’t have any fish. They got fish from our region. Our founding fathers had the vision to consolidate us all. But over the years, we never got anywhere we’re still spectators.

“The question is, do we continue to be spectators? The narrative has to change. The status quo has to change. We must focus on what we can do best for our countries,” he said.

He stressed that if Pacific leaders aspire to secure resources for future generations, today’s leadership must take action.

“If you look at our people in the islands, who fish every day just to sustain themselves, their way of life is simple,” he said.

Wong also spoke about his strong belief in the Eastern Britain Initiative.

 “We have been told many times that we cannot do it. We have been told many times that we can’t manage it ourselves. But that mindset belongs to the past.

“We now have leaders in the Pacific who are more focused, more driven, and committed to building a future for our people not just as individual nations, but as one region. That is the message we will take wherever we go.

“When we align the Eastern Britain Initiative with SDG 14.4, we will achieve our goals,”Wong concluded.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has called for improvements in the current assessment of SDG 14.4 as he closed the Honiara Summit: Iumi Tugeda Delivering on SDG 14.4 – Achieving Sustainable Fisheries.

“It is heartening to see the close collaboration this week. I believe the challenge before us, ladies and gentlemen, is to improve the current assessment for SDG 14.4,” Manele said last Thursday.

Manele emphasised that trends in fisheries resources of commercial importance must improve.

He stressed that for fish stocks that may not be of commercial significance, states must take responsibility for increasing the percentage of such stocks to ensure they remain within biologically sustainable levels.

“One major reason the Pacific region is a leader in fisheries surveillance and management, as we have heard, is due to the vital role played by regional fisheries management and advisory organisations in assisting Pacific Island states in managing their fisheries,” he said.

Manele highlighted the need for greater recognition of the role played by these regional management and advisory organisations.

He explained that these organizations, established under international law, are responsible for setting fishing regulations and providing technical advice to promote sustainable fisheries.

“Collectively, regional fisheries bodies play an essential role in supporting states in achieving SDG 14.4. National-level fisheries management efforts, including those concerning offshore and coastal fisheries, must also be strengthened to accelerate progress towards this goal,” Manele said.

He added that the summit considered emerging fisheries governance initiatives, including aligning SDG 14.4 messaging with the protection of biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction.

Reflecting on the summit’s discussions, Manele posed a crucial question:

“Have my expectations been realized over the past three days? Fellow leaders, honorable ministers, and excellencies, during the opening ceremony, I shared my expectations for this important summit as follows:

One of the key expectations of the summit was the provision of a concise progress report on SDG 14.4. I am pleased to note that during the plenary sessions, various reports were presented on the progress made toward achieving sustainable fisheries.

Another important objective was the identification of knowledge and data gaps, along with strategies and policy actions to address these challenges, particularly in coastal fisheries. Addressing these gaps will be crucial in ensuring effective management and sustainable use of marine resources.

The summit also emphasised the need for greater recognition of the spatial arrangements of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as outlined in international and regional fisheries treaties, including sustainable fisheries development initiatives. While fisheries treaties acknowledge the spatial requirements of SIDS, this remains a continuing challenge. Therefore, I invite states and development partners to collaborate closely on this crucial issue.

Additionally, the summit discussed recommendations on ways to align SDG 14.4 messaging and priorities with the implementation of key international agreements. These agreements include:

• The UN Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement,
• The World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on fisheries subsidies,
• The Convention on Biological Diversity, and
• The UN-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

It is our responsibility to unpack how SDG 14.4 messaging and priorities align with these agreements to ensure coherent and effective implementation.

Lastly, strengthening partnerships to achieve sustainable fisheries was highlighted as a critical area of focus. While I am encouraged by the various collaborative arrangements established during this summit, much more can be done. Strengthened partnerships will be key to ensuring long-term success in achieving SDG 14.4 and sustainable fisheries management in the Pacific.

“I therefore urge all of us to strengthen partnerships towards sustainable fisheries. Achieving this goal requires a collective effort,” Manele said.

Manele also expressed satisfaction with the acceptance of the summit’s technical outcomes (communiqué), which summarise the key discussions over the past three days.

“I am pleased to announce, on behalf of the Pacific Island Heads of Government and high-level representatives attending this meeting, our political commitment through a high-level political declaration. This declaration demonstrates our agreement with the summit’s outcomes and conveys our call to the international community to grant greater recognition and higher levels of support to Pacific Island countries in strengthening their efforts to achieve SDG 14.4,” Manele concluded.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]