In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — WCPFC report shows record Pacific tuna catch, warns of climate change risks
2. TONGA — Tonga PM welcomes U.S deal to explore deep-sea minerals amid environmental concerns
3. PACIFIC — Pacific climate finance gaps threaten local resilience
4. TONGA — Tonga Finance Minister Lata Tangimana convicted of electoral bribery by Supreme Court
5. SOL — Solomons Speaker of Parliament Oti blasts MPs for paralysing Parliament’s ‘engine room’
6. FIJI — FHRADC urges Fiji Governemnt to align foreign policy with human rights obligations
7. SAMOA — Samoa Observer reporter charged with defamation
8. B/VILLE — ABG sets reform agendas for Police and Correctional Services in Bougainville
9. PACIFIC — PRF brings civil society to the table to shape climate grants for Pacific communities
10. PACNEWS BIZ — ADB announces financial support package to help Asia and Pacific mitigate impacts from Middle East conflict
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji PM Rabuka assures Tonga fuel supply secure after call with PM Fakafanua
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Regional Surveillance tightens net on IUU Fishing, 1,600 vessels monitored in 2025
13. PACNEWS BIZ — U.S looks to help PNG get off grey list
14. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji hosts regional tourism leaders for industry day in Nadi
15. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — China’s growing influence in the Pacific is 5,000 meters deep
16. PACNEWS DIGEST — Niue marks World Meteorological Day with launch of Children’s Disaster booklets
PAC – TUNA INDUSTRY: PACNEWS PACNEWS 1: Tue 24 Mar 2026
WCPFC report shows record Pacific tuna catch, warns of climate change risks
By Pita Ligaiula
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS) — The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has confirmed record tuna catches in the Pacific, while warning of growing uncertainties linked to climate change, shifting fishing patterns and data gaps.
The findings are contained in the WCPFC22 Summary Report released on 11 March 2026, following the Commission’s 22nd annual meeting held in Manila from 01 -0 5 December 2025.
The Tuna Commission report shows 2024 delivered the highest tuna catch ever recorded in the Western and Central Pacific.
“2024 was a record total tuna catch in the WCPFC-Compliance Assessment, and a record skipjack catch.”
While skipjack led the surge, other key species showed mixed results.
“There were minor changes in yellowfin and bigeye catches, but albacore catch was notably higher in 2024 than 2023.”
Fishing effort across the region remained stable despite these changes.
“Recent effort is generally stable across all gears.”
The report confirms that key tuna stocks remain healthy overall.
“All key tuna stocks (skipjack, bigeye, yellowfin and South Pacific albacore) are currently assessed as in the green (not overfished and not undergoing overfishing) and close to their TRPs or other relevant objectives.”
However, not all species are in a strong position.
“Southwest Pacific striped marlin is still considered overfished (noting biomass estimates have high uncertainty), but unlikely to be undergoing overfishing.”
The report also confirms that swordfish stocks remain stable.
“Southwest Pacific swordfish is assessed as not overfished, and not undergoing overfishing.”
The Commission highlighted significant shifts in fishing patterns, linked to climate variability.
“Purse seine activity contracted to the west, with more sets conducted due to a notable increase in free school sets in 2024 compared to 2023, resulting in slightly lower purse seine bigeye catch.”
Scientific experts said these changes are largely driven by climate conditions rather than policy measures.
“Climate-driven changes in tuna distribution, rather than the FAD closure regime, appeared to be the primary driver of the recent set-type patterns.”
They noted that La Niña conditions played a role in shifting fishing activity westward and increasing free-school fishing.
The report flagged increasing uncertainty in stock assessments, particularly for South Pacific albacore.
“Higher uncertainty in biological parameters, natural mortality, and productivity, together with the use of multiple alternative assessment models and stochastic recruitment in the projections, resulted in a wider range of projected outcomes than for other tuna stocks.”
This highlights the need for continued scientific research and improved data collection.
The Commission also noted changes in fishing technology and practices.
“Historical time-series of hooks deployed showed a substantial increase in hook numbers despite fewer vessels.”
This shift is linked to more efficient fishing gear allowing vessels to deploy more hooks per set.
The meeting brought together a wide range of members, partners and observers from across the Pacific and beyond.
Participants included Pacific Island countries such as Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Niue, Tokelau Vanuatu alongside major fishing nations and international organisations.
The report also highlighted cooperation with regional bodies including the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
The WCPFC22 meeting covered a wide range of issues, including conservation measures, compliance monitoring, climate change and illegal fishing.
Key agenda items included:
* Conservation and management of tuna and billfish
* Monitoring and compliance systems
* Impacts on non-target species
* Climate change considerations in fisheries management
* Adoption of the 2026 IUU vessel list
The Commission also continued work on harvest strategies and improving monitoring systems to ensure sustainable fisheries.
While the report confirms that tuna stocks remain in a healthy state, it also points to emerging risks from climate change, shifting fishing patterns and data gaps.
The WCPFC’s latest findings highlight the need for continued cooperation, stronger science and improved management to sustain the world’s largest tuna fishery.
The Tuna Commission’s decisions and ongoing work will play a key role in ensuring that Pacific fisheries continue to deliver economic benefits while maintaining long-term sustainability…. PACNEWS
TONGA – DEEP SEA MINING: THE GUARDIAN PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Tonga PM welcomes U.S deal to explore deep-sea minerals amid environmental concerns
NUKU’ALOFA, 23 MARCH 2026 (THE GUARDIAN) — The recently elected leader of Tonga has described a deal to partner with the U.S on deep-sea mineral exploration as an “exciting development” amid concern in the small Pacific nation over the practice of seabed mining and the potential environmental impact.
Tonga is located in the South Pacific Ocean, a region attracting growing interest over whether critical minerals buried in the seabed could be extracted to help power industries and green technologies.
In some of his first comments on deep-sea mineral exploration, Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua told the Guardian that Tonga had a tradition and historical knowledge of the cultural practice, and the nation would be “cautious” in ocean exploration.
The U.S and Tonga struck a deal in February to cooperate to “advance marine scientific research for the responsible exploration of seabed mineral resources”. The statement, released on 26 February, said the two countries were “uniquely positioned” to work together in this field.
“Together, we commit to responsible exploration of seabed minerals and enhancing global scientific understanding of the deep ocean,” the statement said.
Fakafānua, who was elected prime minister in November 2025, said the partnership was “an exciting development for us”.
He added: “With regards to deep-sea minerals, as a nascent industry, Tonga remains fully committed to scientific exploration of our oceans under the multilateral systems we are legally bound to and continues to strictly maintain a cautious approach of firstly do no harm.”
Tonga has a long-running partnership with The Metals Company for exploration work, though no mining has taken place.
Environmental groups are concerned that exploration and deep-sea mining could damage fragile ocean ecosystems. Concern has also been raised in Tonga that the public have not been adequately consulted on the U.S deal.
Dr ‘Ungatea Fonua Kata, a respected public figure and academic, is among the strongest critics against deep-sea mining in Tonga. Kata described the Pacific Ocean as the country’s “home” and said communities rely on the sea for much of their livelihood.
“The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth yet it’s our home, we are opposed to any activity that could damage that environment,” said Kata, who is also education director of the largest church denomination in Tonga, the Free Wesleyan Church.
“We have very little land mass,” she said. “Our livelihood is based in the ocean, so we do not want anything done that would be detrimental to our place of residence.”
Kata said plans for cooperation with the US on marine research lacked public consultation, particularly on an issue so vital to Tonga.
Drew Havea, the chair of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, is a strong opponent to deep-sea mining and has called for a moratorium on the practice.
“Most Tongans disagreed with their country’s involvement in deep-sea mining,” Havea said. He called for a referendum on the issue at last year’s November election but the then government did not comply with the request.
Tonga’s Civil Society Forum has found strong support regionally from the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), a leading environmental and advocacy group. Its regional coordinator, Joey Tau, has urged caution and warned that deep-sea mining was a huge unknown.
He said: “There is more need for deep-sea science and research, but one that is done independently, that benefits the common good of all humankind, and not one that is driven by industry.
“Mining has really a bad history in this part of the world. You can [also] look at other continents – it has displaced people, it has brought about social differences,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – CLIMATE CHANGE: ISLANDS BUSINESS PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Pacific climate finance gaps threaten local resilience
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (ISLANDS BUSINESS) — Climate finance in the Pacific is not keeping up with urgent needs, as complex systems, slow approvals, and financial risks still block access to vital funding.
Speaking at the Climate Talk: Navigating Climate Risks Talanoa Dialogue in Suva, Karlos Moresi, Climate Finance and Resilience Programme Adviser and Team Leader at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, said that while climate funding is available globally, accessing it remains one of the biggest challenges for Pacific Island countries.
“Access remains a major issue,” Moresi said.
He highlighted that strict requirements, lengthy approval processes, and limited national capacity often delay the flow of funds.
“Global climate finance systems are not designed with Small Island Developing States in mind, creating barriers that prevent timely and effective support for vulnerable nations,” he added.
Moresi also stressed that Pacific countries were making efforts to mobilise their own resources, including through national budgets – but international systems must better align with these efforts to maximise impact.
“There is a need to simplify processes and create dedicated funding windows for Pacific countries,” he said.
Participants at the dialogue discussed the role of the Fiji Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund in addressing financial bottlenecks.
“As funders, usually the risk of foreign exchange is passed down to the community or local organisations in-country,” a representative noted.
He explained that minor currency fluctuations can add millions of dollars to project costs.
“For example, a project worth USD$30–USD$40 million could see an additional million-dollar cost from just a five to ten basis point movement in foreign exchange,” he said.
Moresi confirmed the Pacific Islands Forum has been raising these concerns, including in discussions with the Green Climate Fund.
“We are trying to push for solutions that reduce currency-related risks and make funding more accessible to the countries that need it most,” he said.
He emphasised that climate finance is not just about funding projects, but also about building trust and ensuring international funds are channelled effectively through national systems.
“It is critical that resources reach communities where they are most needed to strengthen resilience and support preparedness,” Moresi said.
Moresi also spoke about the challenges of translating regional decisions into national action.
“The original leaders made decisions at the regional level, but implementation happens nationally,” he said.
“Sometimes, national priorities can close off access to regional directives. We need to ensure leaders’ decisions are translated effectively at the country level,” he added.
He highlighted the importance of engagement ahead of COP31, noting the role of civil society organisations in shaping outcomes.
“If we don’t engage CSOs, we might miss opportunities to align national and regional priorities,” Moresi said.
He also acknowledged broader regional and global challenges, including geopolitical risks, and stressed that Pacific countries must work collectively to ensure climate finance reaches where it is most needed.
“The dialogue highlighted the need for urgent reforms.
“Without these changes, Pacific countries will continue to face significant challenges in building resilience and responding effectively to the climate crisis,” said Moresi…. PACNEWS
TONGA – COURTS: KANIVA TONGA NEWS PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Tonga Finance Minister Lata Tangimana convicted of electoral bribery by Supreme Court
NUKU’ALOFA, 25 MARCH 2026 (KANIVA TONGA NEWS) — The Tongan Supreme Court has convicted Latalaga Lata Tangimana, the Minister of Finance, for breaching Tonga’s Electoral Act in connection with the 2025 General Election campaign.
Tangimana, also the MP for Niua 17, was found guilty Tuesday on charges relating to bribery, following evidence presented to the court showing that he had offered benefits to voters during the campaign period.
It is understood that this case forms part of a broader set of complaints reportedly filed against several Members of Parliament, including the representatives for Tongatapu 2, Tongatapu 4, Tongatapu 9, Tongatapu 10, Haʻapai 12, Haʻapai 13 and Vava’u 16 with additional filings from other constituencies also anticipated. Tongatapu local events
The judgment, reported on FM 87.5, claims that the minister committed offences under the laws governing electoral conduct.
The conviction automatically triggers constitutional implications.
Under the Constitution and the Electoral Act, a candidate or elected representative found to have committed bribery is subject to the court’s ruling and may subsequently lose their seat.
However, Tangimana retains the right to appeal the decision if he believes the ruling is flawed or that legal errors were made in the judicial process.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of electoral conduct in Tonga, especially as similar cases in previous election cycles have led to the unseating of Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers.
Further proceedings will now depend on whether Tangimana files an appeal to challenge the ruling…. PACNEWS
SOL – POLITICS: INDEPTH SOLOMONS PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Solomons Speaker of Parliament Oti blasts MPs for paralysing Parliament’s ‘engine room’
HONIARA, 25 MARCH 2026 (INDEPTH SOLOMONS) — Solomon Islands Speaker of Parliament Patteson Oti has broken his silence on the deepening political stalemate, warning that the mass resignation of committee chairs has created a “serious impasse” that undermines the very foundation of the nation’s democracy.
In an address, Oti declared that the deliberate abandonment of parliamentary duties is a betrayal of public trust.
“Parliament is the cornerstone of our democracy,” Oti stated.
“The deliberate suspension of parliamentary responsibilities undermines both the integrity of this House and the trust of our citizens.”
The crisis was triggered by the defection of 19 government MPs to the Opposition.
This was followed by the resignation of all parliamentary standing committee chairs and their members, led by former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who chairs the all too important Public Accounts Committee.
By resigning from their committee posts, these MPs have effectively stalled the “engine room” of Parliament – the vital committees responsible for vetting bills and national budget estimates.
Lilo has remained defiant, stating his group “cannot take instructions from a minority government to process the business of Parliament.”
The shift in numbers left Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s GNUT government with just 22 MPs, while the Opposition had the majority of 28.
Despite the gridlock, Oti reminded Members that their duty to the state transcends political maneuvering.
“Regardless of economic hardship, social pressures, or political impasse, Parliament must continue to operate,” he said, adding that such duties are “not optional.”
However, the Speaker also clarified the limits of his authority under the current Constitution:
*Committee Vacancies: Pursuant to Standing Order 68(4), Oti will continue to offer chairpersonship and membership roles to any MP willing to serve.
*No Power to Recall: Oti admitted he lacks the legal power to unilaterally recall Parliament.
*Government Control: Under current rules, only the Prime Minister has the authority to officially summon Parliament to convene.
Prime Minister Manele has so far dismissed calls for an extraordinary sitting, despite a formal petition from the Opposition to the Governor-General.
Manele characterised the defections as a “normal democratic process” and insisted he would only call for a meeting “as and when it is appropriate.”
He maintains that political numbers must be formally tested on the floor of the House, rather than through public speculation or petitions.
As the deadlock continues to delay essential national business, Speaker Oti has issued a final plea for dialogue, urging MPs to rise above the impasse and “demonstrate leadership in times of challenge.” …. PACNEWS
FIJI – HUMAN RIGHTS: PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
FHRADC urges Fiji Governemnt to align foreign policy with human rights obligations
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) has called on the Government to ensure its foreign policy and diplomatic engagements remain consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.
In a statement, Commissioner Alefina Vuki said Fiji had binding commitments under international law, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which required the State to support global efforts to prevent such crimes and ensure accountability.
“This includes ensuring that Fiji’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations do not assist, enable or legitimise conduct by parties or states involved in serious violations of international law,” Vuki said.
She stressed that the duty to prevent genocide was a “jus cogens obligation”, meaning it was a non-derogable principle of international law.
“It imposes upon every State the legal responsibility to intervene and prevent the intentional or deliberate destruction of a group of people. No government can ever justify or excuse its failure to carry out this responsibility,” she said.
The Commission highlighted concerns amid ongoing humanitarian conditions in Gaza, noting reports from United Nations agencies and independent bodies of large-scale civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.
Vuki said while the Government had the sovereign right to determine its bilateral relations, including the establishment of a Fiji Embassy in Jerusalem in September last year, such decisions must still comply with international obligations, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 478.
“It remains imperative that Fiji’s diplomatic actions do not violate international norms relating to occupation, self-determination and the protection of civilian populations,” she said.
She also raised questions over the Government’s plans to approve a resident Israeli embassy in Suva, saying any strengthening of bilateral relations must be balanced against Fiji’s responsibilities under international law.
“Diplomatic engagement must remain grounded in international law, and the protection of human rights, particularly the safety and dignity of civilian populations and vulnerable groups in situations of conflict and war,” Vuki said.
The Commission said it stood ready to provide independent and technical advice to support Government decision-making aligned with Fiji’s human rights commitments…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – MEDIA: TALAMUA ONLINE PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Samoa Observer reporter charged with defamation
APIA, 25 MARCH 2026 (TALAMUA ONLINE) — Samoa Observer senior reporter Marieta Heidi Ilalio was arrested and charged by Police with defamation Tuesday.
The charge stemmed from an article she wrote and published by the newspaper that claimed the Prime Minister’s sons drove the car allocated for the Prime Minister security detail which only an assigned police officer has the authority to drive.
The article also said the Head of the Police Traffic Division was transferred to a different division after warning the Prime Minister’s sons.
The article prompted the Samoa Police Prison & Correction Services to issue a press statement rejecting the newspaper’s claim.
“The allegation is entirely unfounded and unsupported by any official report, complaint or internal record,” said the SPPCS statement.
Marieta Ilalio is scheduled to appear at the District Court for mention on Tuesday next week…. PACNEWS
B/VILLE – LAW ENFORCEMENT: ABG GOVT PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
ABG sets reform agendas for Police and Correctional Services in Bougainville
BUKA, 25 MARCH 2026 (ABG GOVT) — The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is taking decisive steps to strengthen its law and justice sector, with plans underway to transfer command and control of key law enforcement institutions to Bougainville.
ABG Minister for Police, Willie Masiu, announced in Parliament Tuesday that his Ministry has, over the past six months, been undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the law and order situation across the region, identifying critical reforms needed to support Bougainville’s transition towards eventual independence.
“Currently, command and control of both the Bougainville Police Service and Correctional Service remain with the Government of Papua New Guinea. This presents a significant challenge to our aspirations for self-governance,” Minister Masiu said.
“I have therefore recognised the need to initiate the process of transferring command and control of these key institutions to the ABG.”
A key milestone in this process is the recent approval by the Bougainville Executive Council for the establishment of the Bougainville Civilian Police Service Secretariat, which will provide oversight and coordination to ensure the Police Service operates effectively, efficiently and transparently.
The Secretariat will undertake a series of priority reforms aimed at strengthening policing across Bougainville, including:
• Full transfer of command and control of the Bougainville Police Service to the ABG
• Development and implementation of a five-year Corporate Plan
• Expansion of police manpower to 800 officers by 2029
• Training and formalisation of town rangers in urban centres
• Upskilling of Community Auxiliary Police to strengthen community-level policing
• Integration of selected veterans into a reserve police unit
• Establishment of rural police posts across all constituencies
• Construction of rural lock-ups in key regional locations
• Establishment of a Bougainville Intelligence Organisation
• Creation of a Bougainville Water Policing Unit
Minister Masiu reiterated that these reforms are necessary to build a professional, disciplined and accountable police service that reflects the needs and aspirations of our people.
The Civilian Secretariat will also play a central role in facilitating the immediate drawdown of powers from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the National Correctional Service.
Progress is also being made within the Correctional Services sector. Groundbreaking ceremonies have been conducted at Kuveria and Beikut, with developments already underway.
At Kuveria, land has been cleared for the construction of a new correctional facility, while at Beikut, works have commenced on essential infrastructure, including secure fencing, dormitories for male and female inmates, and a dedicated juvenile facility.
These developments are being supported through the Government of Australia, and Minister Masiu expressed appreciation for the continued partnership.
Minister Masiu also highlighted the urgent need to restore police presence in Nissan and Kokopau, noting that both stations were previously operational but have since been vacated.
“These stations were previously operational but have since been vacated and must now be restored as a matter of priority,” he said.
Minister Masiu emphasised that strengthening law and order institutions remains central to Bougainville’s future.
“Law and order remain the foundation of peace, stability and development. As we move towards our political future, it is imperative that we build strong, disciplined and accountable institutions.” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC – PRF/CSOS: PIFS PACNEWS 1: Wed 25 Mar 2026
PRF brings civil society to the table to shape climate grants for Pacific communities
SUVA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PIFS) — The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) has completed its first Regional Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Programming Co-Design Consultation, bringing together civil society organisations from across Forum Member Countries to help shape how community resilience grant programmes will be accessed and delivered to help communities at the front line of climate change.
This follows the First PRF Programming Co-Design Consultation with Pacific Islands Forum Member Governments in February 2026, and paves the way for National Programming Consultations from late March to early May 2026, bringing the PRF one step closer to making Forum Leaders visions for communities to access climate finance a reality to ensure that no one is left behind.
Opening the PRF CSO consultations, Esther O’Brien, Minister Counsellor for the Solomon Islands High Commission to Fiji representing the Forum Chair called on regional CSOs to stand together in this process, recognising their role not only as co-designers, but also co-implementors and co-advocates for PRF investors.
Held from 17–19 March 2026 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, the three-day consultation gave CSOs a voice in how the PRF’s locally-led grant processes can be made accessible, agile, inclusive, culturally contextualised and responsive to the real climate and disaster resilience needs of Pacific communities.
Acting Director Programmes & Initiatives, Denton Rarawa, called for the support, unity and solidarity of regional CSOs in this co-design process, “CSO’s play a vital role in the PRF, not only as co-designers, as co-implementors with communities, and also as co-advocates for PRF investors…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
PAC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: ADB PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
ADB announces financial support package to help Asia and Pacific mitigate impacts from Middle East conflict
MANILA, 25 MARCH 2026 (ADB) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a financial support package to help its developing member countries (DMCs) mitigate the economic and financial impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
“ADB will deliver rapid, flexible, and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience, notably fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain finance to secure the import of essential goods, now including oil,” said ADB President Masato Kanda.
“This builds on our strong track record of supporting Asia and the Pacific through periods of global uncertainty.”
ADB has ample resources to safeguard existing and planned operations, while expanding emergency support in line with DMC needs, including utilizing its countercyclical lending buffer.
The bank is closely monitoring global market developments and their potential implications for economies across Asia and the Pacific, particularly regarding energy price volatility, inflationary pressures, and external account balances.
The latest ADB analysis indicates that disruptions to shipping routes have already increased costs and delivery times, while supply risks extend beyond energy to key industrial inputs such as petrochemicals and fertilisers, with serious implications for agriculture and food production.
Tourism- and remittance-dependent economies face compounding vulnerabilities beyond these initial shocks. Furthermore, the conflict is increasing uncertainty and tightening financial conditions across the region, putting pressure on currencies and capital flows.
In response, ADB is ready to deploy timely financial and technical support to help DMCs manage risks, maintain macroeconomic stability, and protect vulnerable populations.
There are two main components to ADB’s intervention. The first is fast-disbursing budget support to help DMCs facing heightened fiscal pressures, notably the use of the bank’s Countercyclical Support Facility to help governments stabilise their economies and mitigate the impact of shocks on the lives and livelihoods of those most at risk.
The second is ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Programme (TSCFP), which supports the private sector to ensure critical imports, including energy and food, continue to flow.
The bank has decided to reactivate support for oil imports under the programme on an exceptional basis for this limited period. This decision acknowledges that economies and people across the region are being severely affected by the rapid surge in oil prices and supply chain disruptions.
ADB has begun discussions with all severely affected DMCs on possible immediate support and will continue to work closely with governments, development partners, and the private sector to ensure coordinated and effective responses to maintain economic stability and protect the poor and most vulnerable…. PACNEWS
TONGA – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACNEWS/TONGA GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Fiji PM Rabuka assures Tonga fuel supply secure after call with PM Fakafanua
NUKU’ALOFA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS/TONGA GOVT) — Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, held talks Tuesday with Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to address concerns over Tonga’s fuel supply routed through Fiji from Singapore.
The discussion focused on maintaining coordination and ensuring the stability of fuel deliveries to Tonga.
Rabuka reassured Fakafanua of continued cooperation between the two countries, confirming that Tonga’s fuel supply remains secure…. PACNEWS
PAC – FISHERIES: PACNEWS/FFA PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Regional Surveillance tightens net on IUU Fishing, 1,600 vessels monitored in 2025
HONIARA, 25 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS/FFA) — The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) says coordinated regional surveillance is delivering results, with major operations in 2025 detecting vessels of interest and strengthening compliance across the Pacific.
At the 29th Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Working Group meeting in Honiara, members were updated on the work of the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre, including ongoing efforts under Operation 365.
Discussions highlighted the scale of joint operations involving all 17 FFA Members and Pacific QUAD partners, combining air, sea and satellite assets to monitor fishing activity across Exclusive Economic Zones and the high seas.
FFA Interim deputy director-general and director of fisheries operations, Allan Rahari, said the results reflect growing regional coordination.
“The results from 2025 show the strength of coordinated surveillance across our region.
“Through the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre, FFA continues to support Members with intelligence, coordination and operational planning. We are seeing improved detection through better use of MCS data, satellite systems and regional cooperation. The next step is strengthening ongoing compliance checks, how we respond, ensuring that identified risks are followed through with effective enforcement at the national level,” said Rahari.
The working group heard that more than 1,600 vessel contacts were made during regional operations in 2025, with over 45 vessels identified as vessels of interest, alongside strong levels of compliance across those monitored.
Efforts remain focused on tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and supporting transnational maritime crime risk assessments across the Pacific.
Members also noted continued support from the RFSC in intelligence, coordination and capacity building, with more than 130 personnel taking part in training and operational attachments during surveillance operations.
Looking ahead, the meeting pointed to stronger data integration, expanded use of technology and deeper coordination among members to support intelligence-led surveillance across the region.
The 29th MCS Working Group continues this week in Honiara…. PACNEWS
PNG – GREY LISTINGS: THE NATIONAL PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
U.S looks to help PNG get off grey list
PORT MORESBY, 25 MARCH 2026 (THE NATIONAL) — A team from the United States treasury department was in Port Moresby early this month to explore avenues for technical assistance – a big step in the country’s efforts to address against money laundering.
The team met with Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and Police Minister Sir John Pundari to discuss ways to remove PNG from the international Financial Action against money laundering task force grey list.
The team held meetings with officials of the Financial Analysis and Supervision Unit (Fasu), Office of the Public Prosecutor, PNG Customs, the PNG Forest Authority, the Internal Revenue Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the Bank of PNG.
Ling-Stuckey and Sir John expressed their support for the US partnership which offered to provide technical expertise when PNG undertakes ambitious reforms.
On 13 February, PNG was grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force.
“This is not the first time Papua New Guinea has faced grey listing. It happened before (in 2015), and we successfully worked our way out of it,” Sir John said.
The Bank of PNG has put together a technical team which is engaging with international counterparts, including participation in assessment discussions in Mexico.
Prime Minister James Marape said PNG had nine issues to deal with – fewer than in 2015.
Marape assured the country that the Government would work hard to ensure an early exit.
“We will work to get out of it at the earliest opportunity – just as we did before. It could be within months, not years,” he said…. PACNEWS
PAC- TOURISM INDUSTRY: FIJI GOVT PACNEWS BIZ: Wed 25 Mar 2026
Fiji hosts regional tourism leaders for industry day in Nadi
NADI, 25 MARCH 2026 (FIJI GOVT) — Fiji proudly welcomed regional tourism leaders for the 2026 Industry Day, organised by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) as part of the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2026 programme held in Nadi.
The gathering comes at an important time for the global tourism industry, as developments in the Middle East continue to influence travel patterns, aviation routes, and market confidence.
The forum allows Pacific leaders to assess these changes and coordinate a regional response.
The Fiji Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a tourism sector that benefits its people, protects the environment, and strengthens Fiji’s global tourism presence.
Discussions this week highlight a shared Pacific focus on resilience, connectivity, and sustainable tourism growth in an increasingly complex global landscape…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
China’s growing influence in the Pacific is 5,000 meters deep
Deep-sea mining is its latest battlefield
By Kara Fox, Elizabeth Alberts, Lou Robinson and Byron Manley
BEIJING, 25 MARCH 2026 (CNN) — CNN and environmental news outlet Mongabay tracked eight Chinese research vessels that have undertaken deep-sea mining exploratory missions over the past five years. During that period, the ships spent only around 6 percent of their total open water time in areas reserved for exploration by Chinese companies, according to an analysis of data from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking and maritime intelligence provider, and the platform Deep Sea Mining Watch.
These particular vessels, along with at least five other deep-sea vessels that have previously carried out work in deep-sea mining exploration areas, display a consistent pattern of activity that points beyond purely civilian use.
Some have also shown behaviors suggesting attempts to avoid detection, including hundreds of instances of “going dark” by disabling the mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS), a vessel’s self-reporting system that broadcasts its identity and position.
The majority are tied to state-affiliated entities with links to the Chinese navy and regularly call at its military-connected ports.
They are among more than 40 vessels that make up China’s blue-water marine scientific research fleet, the world’s largest, according to the China Maritime Studies Institute.
While none of this activity proves a military role on its own, taken together it strongly suggests the vessels may serve strategic, dual-use purposes as well as scientific ones, according to more than a dozen naval, civil and academic experts that CNN and Mongabay spoke with for this story.
It’s a strategy that underlines China’s military-civilian fusion policy, which blurs the line between civilian and military development to advance Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s goal to make China a “maritime power.”
Deep-sea mining exploration areas are managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a UN-backed regulatory body responsible for setting the rules for this nascent mineral source-related industry.
Although these rules are not yet finalised and commercial extraction has yet to begin, China has positioned itself as a global leader, holding five of the 31 exploration contracts issued by the ISA and serving as its largest financial donor.
The ISA operates under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which the United States has not ratified – meaning its deep-sea mining ambitions are being pursued outside of this international framework. The Trump administration is now unilaterally accelerating its push to secure critical mineral supply chains as part of its broader maritime strategy, a move which could augur future frictions.
Experts warn that any deep-sea mining is expected to have significant environmental costs.
The deep ocean, often referred to as the “final frontier,” is one of the planet’s largest habitats — and least known environments. Forty countries, as well as hundreds of scientists and environmentalists, have called for a moratorium on the emergent industry, warning that mining could cause irreparable damage to species and ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years and host an extraordinary kaleidoscope of life forms, including hundreds of new species identified in 2025 alone. A study published in December in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution found that industrial-scale deep-sea mining tests caused a 37 percent reduction in animal abundance within the directly mined areas of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast expanse — approximately half the size of the United States — located between Hawaii and Mexico in the central Pacific Ocean.
Where are the exploration areas?
The ISA manages these areas, which are beyond national jurisdictions, and signs contracts with countries or entities, giving them authorisation to explore.
Experts say Chinese research vessels may very well be prospecting for minerals beyond their assigned exploration zones: In December 2025 and January 2026, the Shi Yan 6, or “Experiment 6,” appeared to operate within India and Germany’s exploration area in the Indian Ocean; in November, the Chinese vessel Shen Hai Yi Hao, or “Deep Sea No. 1,” appeared to operate within South Korea’s exploration area, also in the Indian Ocean. Throughout 2024, it repeatedly seemed to be operating in other nations’ contracted areas too, including those of Poland, France and Russia.
The South Korean, Polish and French licensees told CNN and Mongabay that China had alerted them in advance to the visits and that research in such areas is permissible under UNCLOS. Germany said it was unaware of the Shi Yan 6’s visit and India and Russia declined to comment.
Experts say the pattern of Chinese activity could reflect a broader strategy to lead in deep-sea mining once commercial extraction begins.
“China is playing, as it does in many cases, with international law,” said Isaac Kardon, a senior fellow for China studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“China is the primary actor in and around new forms of high seas navigation concerning undersea resources… They’ll be the first mover, if they can,” he added.
Against this backdrop, civilian research and economic development increasingly appear to intersect with Beijing’s broader strategic ambitions, including driving China’s maritime reach.
“They want to know what’s going on at the bottom of the sea, where US submarines might go, where their submarines might go, where other submarines might go.”
“Mapping the seafloor in those places is going to be of intense interest to them,” said Raymond Powell, a retired U.S Air Force colonel and the director of SeaLight, a non-profit initiative that highlights China’s “grey zone” maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not address any of the specific allegations in this piece, or any of CNN and Mongabay’s specific questions. However, in a statement, it said: “Within the framework of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), China conducts activities in deep-sea exploration, scientific research, and environmental protection, assisting a host of developing countries in effectively strengthening their deep-sea capacity building. This is in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” It added that China “highly values deep-sea environmental protection.”
Multiple Chinese research vessels assigned to deep-sea mining operations have mapped areas around Guam and the Mariana Islands in the past year, before moving across the South China Sea — a strategic, resource-rich waterway through which more than 60 percent of China’s maritime trade transits.
Some of the vessels routinely travel through the South China Sea with their AIS off, according to data analysed by the monitoring organisation Starboard Maritime Intelligence.
Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council Minister said in January that 41 Chinese research vessels had been detected by the Taiwanese coast guard in waters around Taiwan over the past three years. “They have trampled on our waters and likely know the ins and outs of waters surrounding us,” Kuan Bi-ling said.
One of those, the research vessel Jia Geng in July came within 20 nautical miles of Taiwan’s coast, which is in its contiguous zone — the buffer surrounding its territorial waters — prompting a response from the coast guard.
“You just suspect that they’ve got some extra ears listening in for certain things that they’d like to know about,” said Powell of Sealight.
Chinese vessels have also conducted surveys or operated near critical undersea communication cables, Starboard Maritime Intelligence said, raising concerns about potential surveillance and sabotage.
For example, in November 2023, the Xiang Yang Hong 03 (Facing the Red Sun 03) spent 48 hours doing survey work over a known trans-Pacific cable, covering around 400 square nautical miles — an area smaller than other surveys the vessel conducted, possibly indicating a more targeted investigation to pinpoint objects of interest.
The vessel “made a fairly direct line straight to one particular part of the ocean,” where undersea cables had been laid three years prior, said Mark Douglas, a Starboard analyst. It then continued to do what appeared to be “a very focused little bit of survey work over the course of a couple of days over (the) top of the cable,” before it left the area. Douglas called the vessel’s movements “a smoking gun,” that points to likely dual-use operations.
It comes as suspected sabotage of undersea cables continues to rise, with at least eight incidents reported in both the Baltic Sea and five around Taiwan in 2024 and 2025, according to a report from the US cyber security company Recorded Future. At least five out of the nine recent incidents involved vessels dragging their anchors, with four of those ships linked to Russia or China, it said. Russia has denied allegations of any involvement. A spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said earlier this year that damage to undersea cables is not unusual, describing such incidents as “common maritime accidents.”
China’s intensified undersea focus comes as Beijing begins construction on a permanent deep-sea hub roughly 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) beneath the South China Sea. The manned research station, due for completion in 2030, will focus on cold-seep ecosystems — critical for understanding energy resources including hydrocarbon and gas hydrate reservoirs — while also reinforcing Chinese reach in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.
Its oceanographic vessels, meanwhile, are equipped with cutting-edge scientific instruments for collecting marine, atmospheric and seabed data.
What research methods do they use?
Seabed mapping
Knowing the shape and makeup of the ocean floor helps experts understand how sound moves underwater. This makes it easier for naval officers to spot enemy submarines, or for vessels to choose safe depths or find places to hide. Good seabed maps also let submarines know exactly where they are without GPS. These bathymetric surveys can aid conservation efforts by identifying and mapping vulnerable areas such as seamounts and deep-sea reefs that could be in need of protection.
Seismic surveillance
Very loud sound waves, generated by some kind of transducer, or in some cases, explosive charges, can also be used to generate feedback on what the seabed might look like. This type of mapping is often used in oil and gas exploration and can have substantial environmental impacts on a range of marine life from whales to zooplankton, experts say.
Autonomous underwater vehicles
Underwater drones quietly collect data on ocean currents, temperature and salinity. These factors directly affect how sound travels underwater, which in turn determines how effectively sonar can detect objects. Mapping this information helps to identify sonar blind spots and improve the tracking of submarines. China has heavily invested in developing autonomous vehicles for years.
China is not alone in the race to the bottom of the ocean.
In April 2025, U.S President Donald Trump signed an executive order bypassing international regulations to turbocharge deep-sea mining in national and international waters, framing access to the minerals as a matter of urgent national security, necessary to counter China’s supply chain dominance. Since then, it has sought to further link deep-ocean resources to this narrative, taking a series of steps to consolidate oversight of the deep-sea mining permitting process and investing billions of dollars in a project to strengthen US critical minerals supply chains, in a move that experts say could unilaterally jumpstart the commercial industry. Critics, meanwhile, warn that the marine environment could be the loser in this multinational race.
In its statement to CNN and Mongabay, the Chinese foreign ministry said Trump’s executive order placed “domestic law above international law, thereby undermining the common heritage of mankind and jeopardizing the international maritime order” and urged the US to “pull back” and “respect the international seabed system.”
The U.S State Department said it is “committed to the responsible development of seabed mineral resources” and that the UNCLOS “framework for deep seabed mining does not apply to non-parties like the United States, carries no weight under customary international law” and, it claimed, “has become a tool of malicious actors.”
The U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has advanced efforts to assess and potentially lease areas for deep-sea mining in the Pacific (off American Samoa and the Mariana Islands) and in recent months, off the coasts of Virginia and Alaska, prompting some local and environmental opposition.
There is little evidence yet of significant friction between the U.S and China over deep-sea mining sites. But the two are increasingly engaged in competition in the Cook Islands, a strategically located Pacific nation with vast, cobalt-rich seabed resources — perhaps signalling how the industry could stoke future tensions.
The Cook Islands, which first considered deep-sea mining more than a decade ago, issued exploration licenses to multiple companies with U.S links seeking to court the Pacific nation in 2022 — although the Biden administration provided little direct backing at the time.
China’s entry in early 2025 — through agreements on deep-sea mining research — marked a turning point. In October, the U.S appeared to be further asserting its presence in the Cook Islands, with the U.S-funded E/V Nautilus expedition mapping the seafloor.
While some U.S National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ships have supported the US Navy and broader national security interests through data sharing, and collaborative research, it is unclear whether vessels involved in deep-sea mining track Chinese submarines or perform similar military work. Experts interviewed for this story found no evidence that U.S deep-sea mining ships conduct surveillance missions, and neither NOAA nor the Navy commented on the matter.
Still, for many Cook Islands residents, the moves have raised alarm about the country’s growing entanglement in a rivalry between the two superpowers.
“We are concerned that the Cook Islands is becoming a melting pot between two major states facing off against each other by equipping themselves with deep-ocean minerals that could be used to support their military defence,” said Alanna Matamaru Smith, director of Te Ipukarea Society, a local environmental organiation.
“These states don’t care about us or the long-term environmental impacts they may leave behind. They only care about protecting themselves,” said Matamaru…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Niue marks World Meteorological Day with launch of Children’s Disaster booklets
ALOFI, 25 MARCH 2026 (SPREP) — Niue Monday marked World Meteorological Day with the official launch of the Vagahau Niue translated booklet series titled, ‘COPE: Be ready for disasters!’
The series aims to support national efforts to strengthen weather and climate services and information through community engagement.
The event, held in Alofi at the Niue Primary School, brought together Niue Government representatives, community leaders, meteorological professionals, and the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme staff visiting from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), to recognise the importance of meteorology in safeguarding lives and livelihoods, while also highlighting a new phase in Niue Meteorological Service approach to weather observation and supporting early warning systems.
World Meteorological Day (WMO Day) is observed annually under the leadership of the World Meteorological Organisation. Regional partners such as SPREP and the Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) observe the occasion as an annual marker to underscore the critical role of weather, climate, and water services in addressing global challenges.
In Niue, the 2026 observance focused on strengthening local capacity and enhancing the accessibility and accuracy of weather information.
The theme of this year’s WMO Day is “Observing today, protecting tomorrow.”
A key part of the event was the launch of the COPE booklets, a resource designed to educate children and support communities to prepare and respond to natural hazards.
For small island developing states such as Niue, where exposure to extreme weather events and climate variability is high, strengthening education and awareness on how to prepare for natural hazards is essential for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
Acting Prime Minister Sonia Talagi was present at the event, alongside the Acting Minister of Natural Resources, Talaititama Talaiti and other government officials and dignitaries.
Talaiti delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Government of Niue, stating, “Preparedness is not only about warnings and data; it is also about education, imagination, and giving our children the tools to protect themselves and their families. When knowledge is shared in a way that children can understand, it becomes a shield of protection, not just for them, but for our homes, our villages, and our future as a nation.”
The Director of Niue Meteorological Service emphasised that the COPE booklets will play an important role in improving disaster preparation in communities, especially for children and young people, as they will go back to their families and communities and share the knowledge and information they learn at school.
“Investing in education resources that will directly support teachers and help children learn about natural hazards and disaster preparation and we acknowledge SPREP and the Weather Ready Pacific team in supporting the translation of the COPE books into Vagahau Niue,” said Rossy Mitiepo, Director of the Niue Meteorological Service.
The WRP Programme Manager, ‘Ofa Faanunu, during his remarks acknowledged the work of the Government of Niue, as showcased through the Niue Meteorological Services and its efforts that has culminated in today’s event.
“Children are not just future leaders: they are today’s communicators, influencers, and protectors of their families. When a child understands what a warning means, where to go, and what actions to take, they become a lifeline within their household and community. This is exactly what the COPE initiative is about, translating science into simple, practical actions that save lives,” said Faanunu.
“Through the COPE booklets, we are not just observing and protecting; we are empowering. We are placing knowledge, confidence, and preparedness directly into the hands of the next generation.”
The translation of COPE books is being implemented as part of WRP’s support to Pacific Island countries and territories, to ensure educational resources are available in local languages which will support the long-term increased education and awareness of last-mile communities in preparing for natural hazards and disasters.
As Niue continues to enhance its weather and climate information services, initiatives such as the COPE booklets will support national resilience and ensure that communities and vulnerable groups are better prepared for the impacts of weather and climate hazards.
Monday officially launched not only printed, physical copies of the booklets, but also the online full series which Niuean’s, and Pacific people alike, can now access freely to use as a disaster preparation tool: https://bit.ly/3PUoKfy