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]
