Australia announced its grant of AU$9.6 million for the development of fisheries in the Pacific, during the 45th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting that was held in Palau from 29-31 July. 

Dr Colin Tukuitonga, the Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) said that the four year funding targeted coastal fisheries development.

He said this new program funding approach will greatly enhance SPC’s ability to provide science-based technical support and information to Pacific Island countries on sustainable management, and conservation of their oceanic and fisheries resources.

"For highly migratory oceanic fisheries, the results of good management or lack of it have long-term impacts at the national level. Therefore, development of national, sub-regional and regional frameworks and arrangements for the governance and management of fisheries resources is essential to ensure they remain sustainable," he said. 

The SPC is based in Noumea, New Caledonia.