The continued management discussions to set limits on effort levels for the harvest of South Pacific Albacore will mean that there will be more control over the number of fishing fleets within our region, with limits imposed on total allowable catch, says Fisheries Minister Alitia Bainivalu.
She told the Parliament yesterday that this, in turn, will ensure that the stocks remain healthy and viable throughout our generation and the future.
“This is a new dawn for the management of our shared South Pacific Albacore stock,” Ms Bainivalu said.
“This Coalition Government, through its strategic vision, its targeted investments, and its determined diplomacy, has achieved a historic milestone for Fijians.
“Through these robust decisions and achievements, the Ministry of Fisheries will ensure that our shared tuna stock will remain a sustainable pillar of our economy and the well-being of all Fijians.”
She said this historic milestone was achieved at the 24th Regional Forum Fisheries Ministers Meeting in Niue from July 22 to 24 this year.
“After almost two decades of science-based discussions and negotiations, the Ministers of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) reached a consensus and endorsed a proportional allocation for South Pacific Albacore for all FFA members.”
Ms Bainivalu said recognising the significant contribution of our shared tuna stock, the Government had a strategic vision.
“That is to cultivate a ‘sustainable and profitable tuna industry’ and to establish Fiji as a regional hub for processing.”
