Frustrations rise over subsidized foreign fishing fleets in Pacific [1]
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 19:04
Greenpeace and the Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association (PITIA) have criticized Pacific Island governments for allowing subsidized distant-water fishing fleets to fish in Pacific Islands waters.
The two organisations voiced their criticisms at the 4th Pacific Tuna Forum held last week in Honiara, Solomon Islands, disapproving management regimes supporting the entry of subsidized distant-water fishing fleets.
Greenpeace has condemned the current influence of foreign fleets in the Pacific. It stated that the fishing methods used by distant-water fishing fleets were unsustainable and destructive to the environment, and that the profits were unfavourable to local businesses.
Greenpeace Campaigner, Duncan Williams stated “The Forum is packed with delegates from distant water fishing nations who continue to profit from and deplete Pacific Tuna stocks. Their business models are based upon paying as little as possible for the right to fish, and taking as much of the profit as they can out of the region”.
The Pacific Island Tuna Industry Association (PITIA) remains sceptical of subsidized distant-water fishing fleets in the Pacific. According to PITIA, the Chinese government subsidizes the fuel costs of its fishing fleets creating unfair competition.
PITIA Chairman, Mr Charles Hufflett stated “It is impossible to develop a domestic catching sector when you have to sell to the same market as your competitor, who incurs almost half your cost”. The PITIA criticisms of fishing subsidies are outlined on its website.
“For the Southern Longline Albacore fishery the subsidies that the Chinese fleet enjoys is the nemesis of the Pacific domestic industry.
“Unfortunately, the harsh reality is, through our own licencing policies, we are responsible for granting access to the highly efficient, heavily subsidised fast growing fleet that is driving our domestic industry out of business. The cost per unit effort has deteriorated to the point where for the offseason part of the fishing calendar year, it’s more cost effective to tie vessels up,” he stated.