-IUU fishing costs Pacific economies over USD 333 million each year
BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Despite major progress in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the threat continues to undermine the hard-won gains of Pacific Island states in safeguarding their tuna resources.
Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director-General Mr Noan Pakop, addressing regional judicial leaders at the 2025 Regional Judicial Symposium in Honiara, warned that the fight is far from over.
“While these achievements are significant, they are not guaranteed,” said Mr Pakop.
“IUU undermines conservation efforts, drains vital revenue and erodes the long-term viability of our tuna stocks.”
IUU fishing is estimated to cost the Pacific over USD 333 million annually — funds Mr Pakop says are stolen from the region’s future.
“Every dollar lost to IUU fishing is a dollar taken from our children’s classrooms, our health systems, our vaccinations, our infrastructure and our communities,” he stressed.
While the Pacific has managed to reduce IUU-related losses by 50% since 2017, the Director-General made it clear that the battle is not yet won.
He called on the region’s legal custodians to play a more active role in strengthening fisheries protection.
“Strong legal frameworks, vigilant enforcement and responsive judicial systems are indispensable,” he said.
“I hope that through your rulings, your gavels become powerful deterrents against IUU fishing.”
The Regional Judicial Symposium, which concluded on Friday last week, brought together chief justices, high court judges and international fisheries law experts.
The aim is to deepen legal understanding and cooperation on fisheries management across national, regional and global levels.
Tuna fisheries is one of the Pacific’s most valuable natural resources, generating billions in economic benefits across the region.
But experts warn that continued vigilance and legal reform are crucial to preserve them for future generations.
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