For Pacific Island nations, marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management are crucial because the health of ocean resources deeply influences their economies and livelihoods.
In recent times, contrasting developments such as the collapse of fisheries subsidies talks and the signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement carry major implications for the Pacific.
The breakdown of negotiations over fisheries subsidies at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC13) this year has cast a shadow over the Pacific fisheries industry.
Pacific Island nations, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, voiced their opposition to the draft deal on fisheries subsidies at the MC13 in Abu Dhabi in February.
They proposed stringent measures to curtail these subsidies, aiming for quantifiable reductions to ensure sustainability.
“The Pacific Island countries, along with others, proposed substantial cuts to subsidies, particularly targeting distant water fleets notorious for unsustainable practices,” explained Adam Wolfenden, Deputy Coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).
“However, these proposals were sidelined during negotiations, ultimately leaving loopholes that favour large fishing nations.
“We put forward proposals aimed at significantly cutting subsidies for distant water fishing, but they amounted to mere best endeavours, devoid of concrete prohibitions,” said Wolfenden.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Commerce, Manoa Kamikamica, led the Pacific delegation to the MC13.
“Our ocean resources must be sustainably managed, protected, and not overexploited,” Kamikamica asserted.
“We, as owners of two-thirds of the world’s tuna resources, insist on equal representation to ensure sustainable management, protection, and prevention of overfishing for the benefit of future generations.”
Despite the setback, Pacific countries retain some leverage through existing flexibilities within WTO frameworks designed to safeguard small-scale fisheries.
According to Wolfenden, these provisions are crucial for protecting local fishing communities, which contribute minimally to global overfishing.
“Small-scale fisheries employ more people and have a smaller environmental footprint. They should not bear the weight of unsustainable practices promoted by distant water fleets,” he said.
However, developing indigenous tuna industries to reduce reliance on distant water fleets remains a significant challenge.
“The idea of developing our own value chain for fisheries within the Pacific is not just an economic strategy but a moral imperative,” Kamikamica emphasised in Abu Dhabi.
“It offers our nations the opportunity to retain greater economic benefits from our natural resources and mitigate the risks posed by unsustainable foreign fishing practices.
“A cap on subsidies would allow a Pacific fishing industry to compete with those subsidised by the likes of the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union.”
Kamikamica advocated for regional collaboration between Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji to combat overcapacity and promote sustainable fishing practices, underscoring concerns about sovereignty and equitable resource management.
According to Jope Tarai, a Fijian PhD student at the Australian National University specialising in fisheries, the failure to reach an agreement on fisheries subsidies leaves Pacific fisheries exposed to formidable external competition.
“Without agreed controls, our local industries face immense business risks. Survival cannot be guaranteed.
“Distant Water Fishing Nations (DWFNs) thrive due to financial backing from their states, enabling them tomaximise extractive fishing efforts.”
This, he said, exacerbates ecological risks and threatens the economic stability of Pacific states reliant on fisheries. Tarai also warned that because of unregulated subsidies: “Increased fishing pressure could lead to overfishing and depletion of Pacific fisheries, which are crucial to our economies.”
He stressed the urgent need for effective regulation to safeguard both marine ecosystems and economic interests.
Tarai suggested leveraging regional forums such as the FFA (Forum Fisheries Agency) and PNA (Parties to the Nauru Agreement).
“These can adjust fishing arrangements to mitigate pressures from DWFNs.”
“DWFN’s fishing effort, number of licensed vessels, vessel size, capacity, technology, etc., and days of access, just to name a few, can specify these arrangements,” said Wolfenden.
However, Tarai cautioned that such adjustments require careful consideration due to potential domestic vulnerabilities.
The BBNJ Agreement
Meanwhile, the recent adoption of the BBNJ Agreement, formally known as the High Seas Treaty, marks a significant step forward in global marine conservation efforts.
This legally binding instrument aims to protect marine biodiversity and manage resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover nearly 50% of the planet’s surface.
“The BBNJ Agreement provides an armoury of conservation tools, strategies, and mechanisms, including a comprehensive system of high-seas marine protected areas,” said Dr Sarah Lothian, a senior lecturer at the University of Wollongong in Australia.
“This instrument signifies a pivotal turning point in the protection of our deep ocean environment,” she told Islands Business.
The treaty aims to ensure an equitable distribution of benefits among all states by addressing the urgent need for sustainable management of marine genetic resources.
“Under the BBNJ Agreement, states will be required to fairly and equitably share both monetary and non-monetary benefits arising from activities concerning marine genetic resources,” Dr Lothian elaborated.
However, challenges lie ahead. “Although we have reached the finish line in terms of finalising an instrument, the real challenge will be getting states to sign on, ratify, and abide by it,” Dr Lothian said.
“One of the questions that looms large is how the new agreement will interact with existing instruments, frameworks, and bodies that already regulate and manage specific activities in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.”
Pacific Ocean Commissioner, Dr Filimon Manoni, has praised Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia for ratifying the agreement, emphasising the ongoing support provided to members through the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
“We are working closely with members and partners to provide support through webinars and workshops and deliver on national expectations surrounding the BBNJ process,” he said.
Marine protected areas
In March this year, Dr Mark John Costello, a professor at Norway’s Nord University, led a global study that comprehensively assessed marine protected areas (MPAs) on six continents.
His study found that MPAs significantly boost local and national economies by reviving fish stocks and generating substantial tourism revenue.
Costello stated: “For far too long, we have overlooked marine parks as GDP generators and job creators.
“In every corner of the globe, ocean protection boosts economies. This study offers the strongest evidence yet that protecting the ocean replenishes it with abundant fish, shields it against climate change, and boosts economies.”
Published in Scientia Marina, the study reviewed 200 studies on MPAs, demonstrating their effectiveness in restoring fish populations by 500% on average, yielding larger fish over time, and improving adjacent fisheries through spillover effects.
Costello emphasised that strict no-take marine reserves, which prohibit fishing, yield the greatest economic benefits, refuting the notion that conservation negatively impacts the fishing industry.
“These findings offer the strongest evidence yet that protecting the ocean replenishes it with abundant fish, shields it against climate change, and boosts economies,” Costello noted.
Ocean conservation efforts
On World Ocean Day 2024, celebrated on June 8, the youth of the Blue Pacific underscored the critical importance of the Pacific Ocean to their cultures, livelihoods, and economic development.
This year’s theme, “Awaken New Depths”, called for a revival of traditional knowledge alongside modern science for informed conservation decisions.
Miliana Iga, representing the Pacific Youth Council, highlighted this intrinsic bond.
“Pacific youth are more than just observers; we are stewards of the ocean’s future. Our actions are crucial to ensuring that the ocean remains a source of life, inspiration, and sustenance for generations to come.”
Youth-driven projects across the Pacific are leading the charge in reducing plastic waste and raising awareness about its detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems.
Dr Manoni, the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, emphasised the need for improved ocean literacy and education.
“We must integrate traditional knowledge with modern science to safeguard our fisheries for future generations.”
Dr Winifereti Nainoca is Environment Specialist and Deputy Team Leader for the Resilience & Sustainable Development Team at the United Nations Development Program’s Pacific Office in Fiji.
Speaking at the World Oceans Day celebrations, Dr Nainoca urged caution in exploring the contentious frontier of seabed mining.
“While seabed mining promises economic benefits, the potential environmental toll demands rigorous scientific scrutiny,” she asserted.
“We cannot afford irreversible damage to delicate ecosystems.”
The Pacific is divided over seabed mining. Proponents argue it could supply essential minerals for green technologies, yet critics fear irreparable harm to marine ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Dr Nainoca emphasised the need for informed decisionmaking.
“We must prioritise robust environmental assessments and stakeholder consultation,” she insisted.
“Only then can we mitigate risks and ensure sustainable development.”
In February 2024, legislative amendments in the Cook Islands reflected this complex debate. The introduction of “mineral harvesting” in seabed mining legislation has sparked controversy, with environmental groups such as the Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) in the Cook Islands decrying it as greenwashing.
TIS technical director, Kelvin Passfield, condemned the move, asserting that such terminology masks the destructive nature of deep seabed mining.
The Pacific’s fisheries sector, already grappling with the impacts of climate change and illegal fishing, finds itself at a critical juncture.
Dr Manoni called for enhanced regional cooperation, akin to the governance frameworks that manage tuna fisheries.
“We need a unified approach to ocean governance that incorporates transparency and accountability,” he stressed.
“Lessons from tuna management can guide us in shaping responsible practices for seabed mining.”
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), tasked with regulating seabed mining beyond national jurisdictions, faces mounting pressure to establish comprehensive guidelines.
“We need robust scientific research to guide decisionmaking on seabed mining,” Dr Nainoca urged.
“We must weigh the potential economic benefits against the irreversible environmental impacts.”
According to Dr Manoni, to grapple with these challenges, collaborative efforts between governments, scientific communities, and local stakeholders are crucial.
“Meaningful consultation with communities is essential for any development project affecting their livelihoods,” he stressed.
“We must invest in research to understand the full implications of seabed mining,” Dr Nainoca urged.
“Only with comprehensive data can we make informed decisions that safeguard both our oceans and our future.”
