Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Members Agree on Priorities for Management and Control of Fishing
Press Release #0710-19 (Forum Fisheries Agency) 
Palikir, Pohnpei – FSM Information Services
July 15, 2010
 
Madang, Papua New Guinea: July 15, 2010 -  The Sixth Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries (FFA) Committee Ministerial Meeting, which took place on July 7-8 in PNG, agreed on several strategic priorities for management and control of fishing.  Australia, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Niue, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu were represented at Ministerial level; FSM and three other members were represented by Senior Officials, at the meeting.

The Ministers discussed progress to create sustainable fisheries management and development. They approved an FFA/Secretariat of the Pacific Community report, “The Future of Pacific Island Fisheries,” for presentation to the next Pacific Islands Forum meeting which outlines some of the key challenges faced by Pacific Island leaders as custodians of fisheries over the next few decades.

The meeting saw the adoption of the “Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Strategy,” which outlines strategies and actions for regional cooperation to control illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific Islands.  The Ministers also endorsed the implementation of the “Regional Economic Integration in Pacific Tuna Fisheries Program” as a tool to assist FFA members gain additional economic returns from their fishery resources.

Also on the agenda was the appointment of a nominee to fill the FFA Deputy Director vacancy.  The Ministers appointed James Movick, FSM Fisheries Advisor, to the position.  The vacancy was created when Su’a N.F. Tanielu was appointed from the position of FFA Deputy Director to the position of FFA Director General.  Movick’s nomination was endorsed by President Mori prior to the Ministerial Meeting.

Bernard Thoulag, Managing Director of the FSM National Oceanic Resource Management Authority, arrived in PNG to attend the Ministerial Meeting, but became too ill to take part in the event; he passed away in PNG, on July 7, 2010.  The Ministers noted the sad passing of their colleague, stating that Thoulag was one of the true statesmen in Pacific fisheries whose loss will be sorely felt.  They all expressed their sincere condolences to Thoulag’s family.

For more information, please contact the FSM Public Information Office by e-mail at fsmpio@mail.fm or at 320-2548.