BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General, Noan David Pakop has highlighted the strategic importance of fisheries and the collective role of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) in safeguarding the Pacific’s tuna resources.
Pakop stressed this when he spoke to the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) during the PIF Leaders dialogue on Tuesday this week under the session “Political Leadership & Regionalism and Peace & Security”.
He told CROP leaders that the Blue Pacific Continent spans over 30 million square kilometres and over 20 percent of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
“Within it, tuna is our region’s common currency – sustaining government revenues, livelihoods, food security, and employment. These benefits are only secure when we work together, upholding maritime sovereignty and exercising vigilance against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Pakop said.
He said that the Pacific remains the only region in the world where all four major tuna stocks – skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore – are biologically healthy.
He urged leaders to extend MCS frameworks to the high seas, strengthen investment in technology and data sharing, as well as coordinated enforcement – and integrate fisheries surveillance into broader regional security frameworks.
“By resourcing our joint surveillance and staying united, we will ensure that our Blue Pacific fisheries continue to underpin resilience, security, and sustainable development for generations to come,” he said.
He said that losses reduced from US$152 million in 2016 to US$43 million in 2021 is due to strong results in tackling Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Whilst celebrating progress, Pakop reminded leaders of the pressing challenges facing the region like climate change, shifting tuna distribution, economic pressures, and continuing IUU fishing activities.
“The progress we have made tells us one thing – working together makes us stronger. As we look to the future, the FFA remains committed to ensuring our tuna legacy benefits Pacific people first and foremost. Let us continue to work together, innovate together, and lead the world in sustainable fisheries management – for our people, our ocean, and our future, Iumi Tugeda, as one Blue Pacific,” said Pakop.
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