BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Padezaka Tribal Association has recently signed a landmark Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) agreement for a 30-year carbon project.

The agreement forms part of a long-term carbon initiative jointly developed with the Nakau Programme and the Natural Resources Development Foundation (NRDF) under the Babatana Rainforest Conservation Project.

“All Parties believe in fair and transparent partnership involving mutually beneficial collaboration between local and external stakeholders to manage the risks of failure and optimise the conditions required to make carbon projects work and endure.”

The launching and declaration of the Padezaka Tribal Rainforest Conservation Area as a legally designated National Protected Area was done in 2021.

The protected area covers more than 4,800 hectares of forest and forms a portion of the Padezaka Tribal land in Babatana Ward, South Choiseul and Choiseul Province.

This forest area is now the third forest protected area (by law) and also the largest so far, in the country.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The ocean is the greatest resource of the region and tuna stocks as the backbone of Pacific Island societies and economies.

“That is why the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency remains central to sustaining that legacy,” said Forum Fisheries Agency Director General Mr Noan Pakop.

He said established in 1979, FFA was born of visionary leadership.

“Our founding members foresaw and recognised the transformative legal moment that would be created by the UNCLOS, specifically, the recognition of sovereign rights over 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones,” he said.

“Since then, the FFA has served as the cornerstone of regional fisheries governance, amplifying the collective voice of its 17 Members in global negotiations such as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and ensuring that the benefits of our shared ocean resources are secured for our people,” said Mr Pakop.

He said recent successes demonstrate that Island States can achieve greatness when they come together.

He said that in 2021, the Western and Central Pacific Ocean was the only region in the world where all four key tuna stocks, skipjack, yellowfin, bigeye and albacore were assessed as healthy and sustainably managed.

“In comparison to about 5 other regions in the world. Since 2020, our waters have contributed over 55 per cent of the global tuna supply, reinforcing our role in both regional and global food security.

“Annually, FFA Members earn approximately USD 500 million in access fees and over USD 1 billion in tuna export revenues, which directly support national budgets, health systems, education and livelihoods across the region,” he said.

“In fact, 1.4 million MT in our members’ waters. Valued at – 2.7 billion USD. Employment – 28,000 jobs,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A strong wind warning is current for waters of Rennell & Bellona, Makira, Temotu, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Central provinces.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) said the situation: a general southeast trade wind flow persists over the Solomon Islands.

SIMS said there is an expected southeast wind of 20 to 25 knots over waters of Rennell/Bellona, Makira, Temotu, Guadalcanal, Malaita and Central provinces.

Additionally stated, seas will be moderate to rough with moderate swells (2.5 to 3.0 meters).

People in the above areas are advised to take precautionary measures as such strong winds have the potential to impact lives and properties.

SIMS stated that sea travellers are urged to consider safety actions, as such winds can produce dangerous wave conditions, which are hazardous to small boats.

“A strong wind warning means that winds of 20 to 25 knots, which may gust up to 33 knots, are expected to produce hazardous sea wave conditions to small crafts. The decision as to the degree of hazard will be left up to the boatman, based on his experience and size and type of boat.

“Be aware that these wave forecasts are an average. the height of some individual waves can be expected to be as much as two times greater,” said SIMS.

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-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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BY LORETTA B MANELE

There are some challenges I face a long the way as a female chief.

Rose Irene Nida, a female chief from Central Province voiced this during a recent interview with the paper at Leitongo village over the weekend during a consultation meeting for chiefs from the province.

She stressed that one challenge she experiences is people not following what she says.

Nida said at times, when this happens, she decides just to stay out of the way but at the end of the day she doesn’t let this stop her from carrying out her duties as a chief.

“But this doesn’t affect me all the time. I just continue to do my work as a chief.”

Nida mentioned that in her community, as female chiefs they are also responsible for solving issues or problems that may occur between couples and even between women.

When asked about her advice for a woman who will soon become a chief, she said as a female chief they must carry themselves with the character of a woman that is caring for her community, people and strangers.

She was one of a few female chiefs who attended the recent two-day “Sandfly Buena Vista House of Chiefs Consultation Meeting” from Sunday, June 15 to Monday 16 in Leitongo village, Central Province.

The meeting was held accommodating three Houses of Chiefs namely; Vatilau, Sandfly and Ravu Houses of Chiefs.

Chiefs in attendance at the meeting came together and on the second day of the meeting voted to form a new House of Chiefs called “Sandfly Buena Vista House of Chiefs” of which Nida is now a part of.

Prior to being a part of this new setting, Nida comes from Vatilau House of Chiefs.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Soltuna Limited donated 15 cartons of tuna to support upcoming Biabina Youth and Children Festival scheduled to take place at Poro village, Isabel from July 1-7.

The weeklong event is expected to bring together well over 1000 youths within Gao/Bugotu Constituency to participate in various activities.

The cartons of tuna will supplement prizes that will be presented during the competitions and will also be used for consumption.

During a brief handover yesterday at Soltuna, Marketing Manager Mr Kenwood Harry said Soltuna is happy to support the Biabina Festival.

Mr Kenwood said Soltuna Ltd as a locally owned company with NPF as a major shareholder always supports initiatives like this.

He said the company has been here for more than 40 years and helps a lot in the communities.

“As part of our corporate social responsibility we are proud to be part of nation building in terms of youth development in the country,” Mr Harry said.

He said Soltuna Ltd is very encouraged to support young people who will become leaders in the near future.

“How you choose to use the donation—whether as prizes or for consumption—is entirely up to you. What matters is that this contribution reflects our commitment to supporting our communities. Initiatives like this are vital for shaping young people to become valuable members of society in the future,” Mr. Harry said.

Coordinator of Biabina Festival Fr. Ellison Gito has acknowledged Soltuna for their kind support on behalf of the organizing committee.

He said seeing local companies supporting our young people is encouraging.

“I sincerely thank Soltuna for these cartons of tuna that will be used during the festival,”

“On behalf of the local organizing committee I would like to register our sincere acknowledgement for kind donation,” he said.

Fr Ellison Gito said he looks forward to future partnerships with Soltuna Ltd to develop youth through such festival.

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