BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
SDG 14.4 will remain relevant as long as there is demand for fish and fisheries products, said Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jelta Wong.
Speaking at the recently concluded Honiara Summit, Wong emphasized that Pacific nations can achieve more if they stand together.
“The tasks outlined in SDG 14.4 such as effectively regulating harvesting, combating overfishing, addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, eliminating destructive fishing practices, and implementing modern, science-based management plans to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible are ongoing responsibilities,” he said.
Wong highlighted the stark reality of the global fisheries industry.
“They told us they were the tuna capital of the world. But they didn’t have any tuna. They didn’t have any fish. They got fish from our region. Our founding fathers had the vision to consolidate us all. But over the years, we never got anywhere we’re still spectators.
“The question is, do we continue to be spectators? The narrative has to change. The status quo has to change. We must focus on what we can do best for our countries,” he said.
He stressed that if Pacific leaders aspire to secure resources for future generations, today’s leadership must take action.
“If you look at our people in the islands, who fish every day just to sustain themselves, their way of life is simple,” he said.
Wong also spoke about his strong belief in the Eastern Britain Initiative.
“We have been told many times that we cannot do it. We have been told many times that we can’t manage it ourselves. But that mindset belongs to the past.
“We now have leaders in the Pacific who are more focused, more driven, and committed to building a future for our people not just as individual nations, but as one region. That is the message we will take wherever we go.
“When we align the Eastern Britain Initiative with SDG 14.4, we will achieve our goals,”Wong concluded.
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