Parties to the Nauru Agreement set to open new HQ in Majuro
The capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, will host the first in-person annual meeting of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) since 2019 when the powerful fisheries organisation convenes on Monday. To coincide
Are Marine Protected Areas effective for tuna conservation?
The first-ever quantitative evaluation of the contribution of no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to the conservation of tropical tunas in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) has been published in Frontiers
Fiji cabinet wrap: Kiribati relations, MSG sports, NZ defence cooperation and local elections
Bilateral relations with Kiribati was one of the key issues discussed by Fiji cabinet ministers in their meeting this week, including deeper cooperation on fisheries. Fiji Prime Minister noted: “Kiribati is also
Marshall Islands sees tuna rebound
Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) records show that tuna transshipment in Majuro rebounded following the disastrous first year of Covid in 2020 when transshipment plummeted by 60 percent compared to
Pacific People 2022: Women At The Helm
The three key Pacific Islands fisheries organisations head into 2023 with competent, charismatic women at the helm. Rhea Moss-Christian of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now heads the Western and Central Pacific
Scientists challenge Japan ocean dumping plan
In early 2023, Japan plans to begin dumping 1.3 million tonnes of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean. Fiercely opposed by local fishermen, seaweed farmers and
Fukushima and Fish
Time stands still in the Pacific - it's what attracts tourists. But in December 2022, the clock is ticking towards Japan's planned release of more than 1.2 million tonnes of radioactive cooling water into the Pacific
Opinion: Fijian fish workers in foreign owned fishing boats
In the Pacific Island countries including of course Fiji, fishing plays a critical role in people’s livelihoods. Fisherfolks, be they subsistence fishers, artisan fishers, or workers in commercial and industrial
Impact of Japan’s wastewater plan will be ‘devastating’: Moss-Christian
The newly appointed executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) tasked to take on the cause of protecting the world’s tuna stocks has raised alarm by Japan’s plan to release
StarKist Samoa to hire Samoan graduates
Starkist Samoa is targeting students graduating from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) at the National University of Samoa (NUS). Samoa’s government owned newspaper reported that a partnership to
Pacific Tuna fisheries may lose certification, MSC warns
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has warned 33 MSC-certified tuna fisheries in the region may lose certification if the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) fails to adopt management measures of
WCPFC meet after three years due to COVID-19
The Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Feleti Teo says the Commission was severely challenged to adapt and to adjust to a new working environment dictated by the
Why Western Central Pacific Ocean Tuna Fisheries’ certification is under threat
Approximately half of the world’s tuna catch comes from the Western Central Pacific Ocean. However, the long-term sustainability of these important stocks could be at risk if governments cannot agree joint strategies
The Pandemic, War and the Effect on Island Travel
It’s an early Tuesday morning in the seaside town of Levuka. A fish salesman is busy opening his doors to suppliers as they bring in their catch after the night’s fishing. A shop owner scurries around preparing to
MSC extends Pacific tuna certification
Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Tokelau have welcomed the decision of the Marine Stewardship Council’s Independent Adjudicator to extend the scope of the MSC certification of the PNA tuna fishery to
World’s largest ocean reserve off Hawaii has spillover benefits, study finds
Six years ago, the then U.S. president, Barack Obama, created the world’s largest fully protected ocean reserve by expanding the existing Papahānaumokuākea marine national monument in Hawaii, a world heritage site
PNG to share vessel tracking data in new partnership
In a new partnership with Global Fishing Watch, Papua New Guinea has committed to sharing vessel tracking data from its Fishing Industry Association on the organisation’s public map. Through this agreement, PNG is
Fisheries businesses off to Mauritius
Seven members of the business community across the region have been selected for a business peer-to-peer exchange programme in Mauritius this month. Pacific Islands Forum Director of Programmes & Initiatives, Zarak
WESPAC opposes Pacific monument expansion
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) has again made clear its position against further expansion of monuments in the Pacific Ocean and the possible consequences to the Pacific island fishing
Pirate Queens
The Seaka II pioneers When the ‘Seaka Pirates’ all-female deck crew cast off on their first fishing trip on a tuna longline vessel last month, they were fulfilling the ambitions of a program devised by the Pacific
Why Is My Poke Bowl $20? Is this the A-poke-lypse?
The answer to this question is not so simple—and one should not be alarmed. The situation is certainly not permanent and tuna stocks around Hawaii are doing just fine. Bigeye and yellowfin tuna (ahi), like any
From Aspirations to Inspirations: The Marshall Islands Fishing Story
The story of how the Marshall Islands went from being a bystander in commercial fishing in the Pacific to operating the world’s busiest tuna transshipment port, two fish processing facilities, a purse seine vessel net
Opinion remains divided on PIPA opening
By Bernadette Carreon Kiribati’s decision to open the Phoenix Islands Protected Area to commercial fishing is their “business” says Parties to the Nauru Agreement ( PNA) CEO, Dr Sangaalofa Clark. PIPA has been a