WCPFC represented at the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum and the Blue Economy Annual Trade and Conference
Port Moresby and Manila, September 6-8. The 8th Pacific Tuna Forum took place on September 6 and 7 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, bringing together government officials, industry professionals, and heads of regional and sub-regional organizations for a two-day event featuring presentations and exhibits related to the Forum theme, “Strengthening tuna sustainability and industry development in the ‘Blue Pacific Continent’ through increased innovation, partnership and participation”.
WCPFC Executive Director, Ms. Rhea Moss-Christian, attended the Forum as one of several guest speakers and delivered a presentation entitled: “The challenges of sustainability and working towards a regional blue initiative for Tuna: The role of WCPFC.” Ms. Moss-Christian highlighted the work of WCPFC in establishing an overarching management framework for tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean and its contributions toward tuna sustainability in the region. She also emphasized the important role that small island developing State members of the WCPFC play in fisheries management, noting their significant contributions to sustainability of the region’s fish stocks.
Other speakers included the recently appointed Pacific Oceans Commissioner, Dr. Filimon Manoni, who spoke on the implications of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies on Pacific Island countries. Dr. Sangaa Clarke, CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), also delivered presentations relating to tuna sustainability, the role of the PNA Vessel Day Scheme, and regional solidarity. Dr. Leontine Baje of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Oceanic Fisheries Programme spoke on the impacts of climate change on tuna fisheries as well as the development of electronic monitoring programmes throughout the region. The diversity and range of guest speakers made for an informative two days with the strengthening of existing partnerships and the development of new collaborations among many stakeholders in the region’s tuna fishery.
ED Moss-Christian also attended the Blue Economy Annual Trade and Conference (BEACON) on September 8 in Pasay, Philippines, as a guest speaker on the topic of “The role of the WCPFC in the sustainable blue economy in the Western and Central Pacific region.” BEACON provided an opportunity to explore the sustainable use and management of the Philippines’ marine and coastal resources, manpower, and security. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop actionable plans for promoting the blue economy’s sustainable development in the Philippines. Other speakers included the Philippines Secretary of National Defense, the Philippines Secretary of Tourism, and a former Senior Associate Justice of the Philippines Supreme Court.
The Pacific Tuna Forum was jointly organized by INFOFISH and the PNG National Fisheries Authority, with co-sponsorship from WCPFC and various other regional organizations. INFOFISH will host the 18th World Tuna Trade Conference and Exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand from 20-22 May 2024.
BEACON was organized by The Maritime League, a non-profit Filipino maritime foundation established in 1990 to address the need for an organization to help spur progress in the maritime sector and advance the interest of the maritime profession and the maritime industry as a whole in the Philippines.
For further information, please contact: wcpfc@wcpfc.int
About WCPFC
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is one of five global tuna regional fisheries management organizations, responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks, particularly tuna, in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Established in 2004, the WCPFC comprises 34 member countries and territories, and seven cooperating-non-members dedicated to promoting the sustainable management of the world’s largest tuna fishery. The WCPFC Secretariat is headquartered in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.