BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
SOLOMON Islands and relevant stakeholders in the Tuna industry have gathered to mark the celebration of World Tuna Day aimed at reflecting on the importance of Tuna to all individuals.
The World Tuna Day falls on May 2 every year after the United Nations passed a resolution to recognise and celebrate this important Oceania resource “Tuna’ in their General Assembly Meeting in 2016.”
Minister supervising for the Ministry of Fisheries Marine Resources Frederick Kologeto when delivering the key note address said yesterday marks the 6th World Tuna Day since the declaration of this important day.
“World Tuna day is a day we stop and reflect on the importance of Tuna to all of us. Accordingly, my ministry with all stakeholders celebrates this year’s World Tuna day with the Tuna our priced national asset.
Today (yesterday) as we reflect and commemorate this day, let me reassure our good people of Solomon Islands that as a ministry, our commitments to the development of tuna fisheries as well as our commitments towards the sustainable management of our tuna resources remain our highest priority.
“This because, it is my ministry’s belief that with a sustainable resource, we will continue to benefit from the use of this resources as food on our table, as cash crop to meet our family socioeconomic needs and as export commodity to support the needs of our country,” Kologeto said.
He said collectively it remains everybody’s duty to ensure that people receive maximum economic and social benefits from the country’s tuna resources.
Kologeto further stressed by acknowledging the work of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Forum Fisheries Agencies (FFA) in making sure the tuna of our region is well managed, achieving a sustainable standard no other region of the world has achieved.
“Your presence today (yesterday) reflects your commitment to our call to put this day aside to reflect on this God given resources, our priced asset, that when we pursue its sustainably, it will continue to provide for us into the future. Thank you again for coming, despite the challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I wish you all the best for 2021 World Tuna Day celebrations and remember Tuna is our priced national asset, tuna our livelihood, tuna for a healthy nation and healthy Solomon Islands, our better choice,” he said.
Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency says World Tuna Day is an opportunity to acknowledge and mark the importance of Tuna to the People.
Raharii said having people come in numbers to celebrate shows the commitment towards this species.
“We are reminded that the importance of protecting these resources, Tuna supports regional food security, employment and economic development and promoted national GDP indeed economic resilience the Pacific Tuna fisheries in particular is important during the challenges in unprecedent times,” he said.
The event begun with a float parade from Honiara City Council to National Auditorium with parade partakers shouting about the importance of Tuna in the country.