Fisheries officials from 17 members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), came together in Nauru from 6 - 10 May, for the 133^rd annual meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC). Delegates and observers from regional and international organisations, met to deliberate and agree on ways forward for Pacific tuna fisheries.

The week-long meeting involved the endorsements of strategic and implementation plans by FFA, proposals of new initiatives, as well as resolving the challenges members face in their fisheries work.

Key endorsements made by the Committee included the Information Management Strategy, designed to strengthen the data systems and improve regional information coordination, and the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Strategy.

FFA stated that these endorsements are part of ongoing efforts to combine principles into the fisheries management and the continued improvement of social benefits from members’ tuna fisheries.

Implementation Plan for Climate Change Strategy

This also included the endorsement of the Implementation Plan for the FFA’s Climate Change Strategy, a comprehensive approach to integrating climate resilience into fisheries management.

"This endorsement will allow FFA to carry out action plans for climate adaptation, resilience and capacity building, underlining the urgency to address climate-induced threats for Pacific fisheries," FFA stated.

East New Britain initiative

The committee deliberated on the progress of the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), an initiative led by the Papua New Guinea government through the PNG National Fisheries Authority in September 2023, with objectives to enhance the economic benefits of tuna fisheries by developing regional processing hubs and other value-addition initiatives.

Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (RMCS) Strategy

The committee discussed the FFA’s ongoing effort to fight Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and endorsed a new monitoring, control and surveillance strategy, the Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Strategy (RMCSS) for 2024-2029.

This RMCSS is aimed at optimising compliance with fisheries management frameworks, and it will be further considered by the FFC Ministerial Meeting in July.

Labour standards on fishing vessels

A significant focus at the FFC was placed on improving labour standards on fishing vessels.

The committee supported organizing a regional training workshop to further develop the WCPFC’s (Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission) regulations on Labour Standards for FFA Members.

This effort is part of the broader goal to assist members to implement at the national level the Harmonized Minimum Terms and Conditions (HMTCs), before the WCPFC’s 21st Regular Session meeting set for December this year.

Significant progress was made with the endorsement of a revised work plan for the Regional Longline Strategy (RLS). The RLS focuses on enhancing the management of longline fisheries through improved data collection and monitoring.

The committee also agreed to prioritize the development of zone-based limits for South Pacific Albacore, aiming to ensure sustainable management and economic benefits from this fishery.

The next annual FFC Officials meeting is set to be hosted by Niue in May 2025.

The FFC Officials will return to Nauru in July for pre-meetings ahead of the FFC Ministers 23^rd Annual Meeting.