Pacific Tuna Forum to focus on safeguarding tuna stocks

Acting Managing Director Leban Gisawa (Centre) and his management team are preparing for key discussions on tuna sustainability at the Pacific Tuna Forum (Image: Supplied)

Efforts to safeguard tuna stock in the Pacific will be discussed in the 9th Pacific Tuna Forum [PTF] starting next week, from October 14 to 15 in Nadi, Fiji.

Strengthening climate resilience, innovation of new technology transfer, equity in wealth distribution and sustainable trade practices of Tuna will also be discussed.

National Fisheries Authority's acting Managing Director, Leban Gisawa says these are part of the efforts to safeguard tuna stock in the pacific.

Mr Gisawa explains that the Blue Pacific Continent must start thinking ahead. He says tuna stocks will continue to shift eastward because of climate change, and that means we need to act now by signing normal fishing and supply agreements with those countries in the east to ensure we continue receiving the raw materials we need.

He added that planning is critical to safeguard Pacific economies that rely heavily on tuna resources.

“If we know the fish will eventually move to their waters, we should secure agreements now so that they remain committed to supplying us," he said.

Pacific leaders, fisheries experts, and industry players in the pacific region will meet at the PTF to discuss the region's valuable marine resource, Tuna, its future and sustainability.

This year’s theme, Pacific Tuna 2050: Resilience, Innovation, Equity and Sustainable Trade for a Prosperous Future, will guide discussions around technological innovations in tuna fishing, processing, and marketing, and Strategies to enhance climate resilience and sustainable fisheries management.

The team will also discuss ways to boost regional value retention and trade opportunities, while emphasizing combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing and aligning the tuna industry with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Tuna forum has been recognized as the premier regional tuna industry event and the participation of policy makers, fisheries players and NGO’s among others reflects the role the PTF members play in the tuna fishing and processing sector.