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
Cancelled WTO talks give Pacific members time out
By Samisoni Pareti For Pacific island members of the World Trade Organisation, the cancellation of the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in late November due to the spread of the Omicron variant was God-sent. Given
Fisheries commission adopts tropical tuna measure
By Bernadette Carreon Dr Sagaalofa Clark Rupert Howes Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen Glen Holmes The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has adopted a revised tropical tuna measure to keep the stocks of
Our Ocean’s Promise
From Aspirations to Inspirations: The Marshall Islands Fishing Story By Giff Johnson The story of how the Marshall Islands went from being a bystander in commercial fishing in the Pacific to operating the world’s
How did my husband die?
By Bernadette H. Carreon The Parties to the Nauru Agreement ( PNA) has described them as the "eyes of the sea," who help provide critical data to ensure the sustainability of tuna stocks. But while fisheries observers
Can electronic monitoring improve observer safety and security?
While collectively, Pacific fishing nations do not appear to be in a rush to send fisheries observers back to sea unless their environment is safe, some national programs have continued to deploy observers on fishing
“How did my husband die?”
The Parties to the Nauru Agreement ( PNA) has described them as the "eyes of the sea," who help provide critical data to ensure the sustainability of tuna stocks. But while fisheries observers are considered a valuable
Can electronic monitoring improve observer safety and security?
While collectively, Pacific fishing nations do not appear to be in a rush to send fisheries observers back to sea unless their environment is safe, some national programs have continued to deploy observers on fishing
Marshalls vaccinates fishermen in Majuro
The Marshall Islands has launched Covid-19 vaccinations for commercial fishermen temporarily in port Majuro — possibly the first Pacific island to vaccinate foreign fishermen. With the country vaccination programme
Pacific fisheries observers finally home
Solomon Island, Fijian and Papua New Guinean fisheries observers are now home after being repatriated from American Samoa this week. Some of them had been away from home since December last year. The nine Pacific
Pacific spearheading global conservation efforts for sharks and rays
Sharks are iconic in the cultures, beliefs and traditions of Pacific people. Their sense of identity of place is reinforced through totems. From Kiribati, Solomon Islands to Fiji and across the Pacific, shark legends
