THE biggest tuna industry gathering in the Western and Central Pacific region, the prestigious Pacific Tuna Forum is on again, set to hold its 5th gathering at the luxurious Sofitel Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji, from 22-23 September, 2015. Papua New Guinea through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is co-hosting the high-level meeting with Fiji at the cost of about K1 million (US$361,499). Fiji had already approved a budget of FJD$400,000 (US$187,802) while PNG through its NFA had also allocated K1 million.
A large portion of the PNG contribution will be recouped from financial sponsorship from the fishing industry and the business community which had been announced in an event on 15 August. The funding arrangement was signed on 17 July in Suva between Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries and Forests Osea Naiqamu and PNG Fisheries and Marine Resource Minister Mao Zeming. Describing the signing as remarkable, Fiji’s Naiqamu said: “This is a significant moment for Fiji because it demonstrates that Fiji is willing to host such huge forums for the Pacific.
“This MoU will ensure the successful hosting of the Pacific Tuna Forum with arrangements, preparations and actual implementation collaboratively undertaken between Papua New Guinea through the National Fisheries Authority and the Government of Fiji through the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests. He said this event in Fiji would be an opportunity to consolidate the management and development of the Pacific tuna resources. “We hope that our partnership will be a very successful one and that it will fulfill the desired outcome which is the successful hosting of this biennial forum,” Naiqamu said.
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