Tonga and other Pacific states have signed an MOU to apply amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries between Pacific Island States and the United States. This 2024 amendments to the US Tuna Treaty provides for access arrangements to the fisheries zones of the Pacific Islands Parties over a period of five years.
The amendments update access for US purse seine vessels in Pacific Islands Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) for five years.
The Minister for Fisheries, Lord Fohe signed the MOU yesterday, 2 December, at the margin of the 21st Regular Session of the Western and Central Fisheries Commission (WCPFC21), at the Vodafone Arena, in Suva, Fiji.
It aims to combat illegal fishing and enhance climate resilience.
US Ambassador, Marie C. Damourn stated, “The Memorandum of Understanding we sign today concludes another round of successful negotiations between the United States and the Pacific Islands to advance sustainable fisheries management in the Blue Pacific. The United States looks forward to our continued cooperation on the Treaty and other efforts to further the sustainable management of fisheries in the Pacific,” said .
First known as the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, it was first signed in 1987 but has been updated intermittently since then.
