BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi has called for enhanced coordination among multilateral organizations, regional fishery bodies, and governments to ensure sustainability commitments are effectively translated into action.

He made this statement during his opening remarks at yesterday’s Panel 1, Session 7, which focused on supporting fisheries sustainability through the implementation of international instruments.

Tagelagi emphasized the need to strengthen monitoring, control, and surveillance mechanisms to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and ensure that financial and technical assistance reaches the nations that need it most.

“Aligning economic incentives with conservation goals, particularly through reform, promotes a fair and equitable approach to marine resource management that acknowledges the unique vulnerability of seabeds. Transformative opportunities for sustainable fisheries must be embraced.”

Tagelagi highlighted that international agreements, such as the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, present critical opportunities to curb practices that undermine sustainability.

He stressed that Niue strongly supports efforts to eliminate harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing while ensuring that any reforms consider the specific needs of developing coastal nations.

Tagelagi also noted that Niue is currently exploring the possibility of joining the BB&J Agreement, recognizing its significance in protecting the region’s marine resources.

“We believe its implementation must be inclusive and acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of all ocean states, regardless of size. Regional and national-level action must be backed by adequate resources, knowledge sharing, and governance mechanisms that uphold equity and sustainability.”

He acknowledged the challenges Niue faces in strengthening national frameworks and building capacity, as it works to translate international commitments into national legislation and management plans.

Tagelagi called for stronger partnerships that provide meaningful technical assistance, capacity building, and sustainable financing mechanisms.

“Our priority must be developing resilient, adaptive frameworks that ensure fisheries remain viable for future generations. This includes adopting science-based policies, investing in local expertise, and empowering communities to take ownership of conservation efforts.

“The future of our fisheries and marine biodiversity depends on the decisions we make today. We have the frameworks, the knowledge, and the tools to safeguard our ocean for future generations.”

Tagelagi reaffirmed Niue’s commitment to collaborating with Pacific partners, regional bodies, and the global community to advance the sustainable management of ocean resources.

“We urge all nations to ensure that the implementation of international instruments remains equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of all stakeholders, particularly small island developing states.”

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Malaita province Elijah Asilaua says a delegation representing Malaita provincial government and national government will pay a visit to Jiangsu province in China this year.

The visit is purposely to reinforce and fostering the newly established sister relationship between Malaita province and Jiangsu provinces.

Asilaua revealed this in a recent interview, as his executive government is preparing for this significant visit to Jiangsu province.

“We will continue to build relation with Jiangsu province under the sister relationship.

“In strengthen the relationship, this year I will lead a delegation to Jiangsu province in China.

“The trip is to strengthen negotiating areas we want to achieve under the relationship,” he said.

He added since the provinces forged relationship; they continue to strengthen dialogue on mutual areas of benefit under the partnership.

Asilaua emphasised this as both are working to translate agreements under the MOU, for the benefit people from both provinces, especially Malaita province.

He also mentioned that so far, Malaita province had received assistances range from IT equipment to livelihood projects from Jiangsu province.

Asilaua noted the assistances came under the partnership and Malaita provincial government and its people had received junk of the support.

He said his government is looking forward for the visit, while they anticipate fruitful dialogue with Jiangsu on their sister relationship.

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Challenges in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance

By Loretta B Manele

A number of challenges in Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) in Solomon Islands have been highlighted at the Honiara Summit on Sustainable Development Goal SDG 14.4 which focuses on managing sustainable fisheries.

Edward Honiwala, Director of Fisheries from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) spoke about these challenges at the summit yesterday.

He expressed that MCS is the backbone of fisheries management as it ensures compliance with fisheries management frameworks, resulting in the sustainability of our fisheries resources.

Honiwala however pointed out that MCS work in the region has also gone through a lot of challenges.

In Solomon Islands, he said major challenges include; geographical spread of islands, difficulty in ensuring effective monitoring, challenging enforcement and costly patrols.

Honiwala also outlined a number of initiatives that can be carried out to address these challenges.

These initiatives are as follows; allocating more resources to ensure all fishers comply with fisheries regulations and management measures, that all fleets and fishing gears reach a 100 percent human observer coverage, e-monitoring and capacity building in all aspects and areas of MCS.

“Capacity building in all aspects and areas of MCS is essential. Well trained and experience officers, in all MCS areas, from data collection and analyst to the enforcement and prosecutions.

These officers must be well resourced and well equipped to execute their work effectively.

Effective MCS requires significant investment, in assets like patrol boats, aircrafts, satellite monitoring equipment and well-trained personnel.”

Honiwala emphasized that effective MCS will always be a financial burden for countries and just like any other Pacific Island country, Solomon Islands lacks the financial resources to adequately fund all these assets and equipment to support MCS work in our EEZs.

In this regard, he said Pacific Island countries are fortunate have good partners like Australia, France, New Zealand and others to support regional surveillance through FFA.

While there are challenges present in MCS operation, there is also innovation and technology in MCS.

Honiwala said with the innovations and technology, some of the MSC challenges can be minimised.

“Fishing vessels fishing within our EEZ can be monitored from our fisheries headquarters. This is through the vessel monitoring systems (VMS) or other electronic means.

For the PNA Countries, the vessel days scheme (VDS) is monitored through FIMs, (Fisheries Information Management Systems) which member countries now use as a tool to calculate fishing days within their EEZs.

Other MCS monitoring tools, includes Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), and E-reporting and monitoring tools. These tools now used by MCS Officers and part of their daily routine work.”

Honiwala said for Solomon Islands, the development of an electronic port system for our ports, is a success story and can be replicated across the region.

He explained that supply system supports catch verification and traceability and ensures IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) caught fish do not enter the chain.

“This is our digital fish accountancy system.”

He said this development is home grown led by the fisheries ministry with support from FFA.

“It is an achievement to see our e-port system can work hand-in-hand with FFA’s electronic ports state measures (e-PSM) system. This has effectively enhanced our ports entry and exist operations.”

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

DR. Patricia Rodie, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), has praised the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for developing a policy to allow the use of local vernacular languages in schools.

Speaking at the closing of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages Day last Friday (Feb 14^th), Dr. Rodie commended MEHRD’s efforts, noting,

“..I think we are happy that the Minister for Education has assured us that they are current reforms within the Education Act to cater for that,” she said.

The dean emphasized that such efforts must be guided by the “cultural value of boldness”, recalling the courage of Pacific ancestors who navigated the vast ocean and diverse terrains for thousands of years.

“Today, we must embody that same boldness as we navigate a rapidly changing world, ensuring that our indigenous languages remain strong, relevant, and varied, “she said.

Highlighting the crucial role of education, Dr. Rodie stressed that a firm foundation in local languages will empower children, communities, and the nation, “and we are pleased to note that in the Education Act, this has been catered for.”

Education Minister, Tozen Leokana said the Vernacular Education Policy along with the Inclusion Education Policy will ensure students can comfortably learn and understand fundamental concepts in their spoken language/s before transitioning into English and other subjects.

He reiterated the ministry’s belief that language is key to learning, stating, “we, in the ministry, regard language as the vessel through which knowledge is transmitted, culture is preserved and identities are strengthened.”

“The decision to integrate our rich linguistic heritage into the education system is not only a strategic mover for academic success but also a profound affirmation of who we are as a people,” Minister Leokana added.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Minister for Culture and Tourism, Choylin Yim Douglas proposes a partnership platform between Tuvaluan descents living in Solomon Islands and Tuvaluan citizens back home.

Ms Douglas, who is a Tuvaluan descent called for this during a visit made by Prime Minister of Tuvalu,Feleti Penitala Teo and his delegation to Solovalu community, a community owned by Tuvaluan descents near Honiara International Airport on Tuesday.

“We would like to proposed a partnership between Solovalu community and Tuvalu citizens.

“A cultural alliance dedicated to the preservation and promotion of our shared heritage.

“This collaboration could include cultural exchange programs facilitating exchanges that allow our artist, story tellers and cultural practitioners to share the knowledge and skills.

“This would encourage both our communities to work together to document our languages, traditional practices and stories to ensure they are preserving for future generation,” she emphasized.

Ms Douglas added that the partnership platform would encourage developing education programs that emphasize the connection between our cultural practise and environmental stewardship.

“Fostering a sense of responsibility toward our land and sea. I urge each of you, to embrace this opportunity.

“Let us not wait until our culture further threaten. Let us take proactive steps to celebrate, protect and pass down the tradition.

“Together we can create a legacy of resilient ensuring that our children and grand children inherit not just our land, but also our rich culture,” she said.

Ms Douglas, on that note, acknowledged Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo and his delegation for opportunity to visit and strengthen their connection with the Tuvaluan living in Solomon Islands.

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