Results for fisheries

The Pacific and China are on a collision course as they search for agreement in the management of the region’s southern Albacore tuna stock, says a regional fisheries official.

The Cook Islands is challenging other Pacific nations to support the adoption of a meaningful harvest strategy for albacore tuna, following a commitment to reduce its own catches by up to 35 per cent within two years. By Helen Greig

Raising alarm about the declining state of the world’s oceans, a new report states that many countries are turning to aquaculture (fish farming) to meet global demand for seafood.

The Vava’u Agricultural Show 2014 was held on Saturday, August 9 at the Vava’u High School grounds in Neiafu. Photos by Lisa Molloy.

A foreign fishing vessel boarded by the Tonga Navy’s VOEA Neiafu patrol boat last week, was apprehended after failing to produce its original fishing license in Tonga, was later released on Monday, May 26.

A decision by the Tongan Cabinet on March 29 to lift a moratorium on the harvesting and the exporting of sea cucumber will accelerate the depletion of Tonga's sea cucumber stock and kill the industry, according to fisheries experts.

There is a urgent need for Pacific nations to rise above national agendas and act regionally, to respond effectively to the economic crisis in the Pacific’s albacore long line fisheries, warns the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Director-General James Movick. Pacific countries will also need to confront distant water fishing nations to reconcile their narrow fishing interests with their broader role as key strategic and development partners of this region, he said.

Tonga's fishing industry remains in a sad state with only one commercial tuna fishing boat in operation in what should be one of its most dynamic economic sectors, says Semisi Fakahau a Tongan fisheries consultant.

What's the use of passing Cabinet decisions if they do not implement them? The Cabinet Decision of 5 April removing Duty and CT for the fishery sector...cannot be effected until Fisheries confirms the administrative procedures... - Tricia Emberson, FIAT.