The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) concluded its 28th Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Working Group (MCSWG28) meeting at its headquarters in Honiara, marking a significant milestone in advancing digital tools and regional cooperation to protect the Pacific’s fisheries.
A standout outcome was the positive progress made in the first year of implementing the Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Strategy (RMCSS) 2024-2029, and the agreement to develop an online monitoring and reporting tool that will support annual reporting of the implementation of the RMCSS.
FFA Director of Fisheries Operations Allan Rahari said the MCSWG28 outcomes reflect the Pacific’s shared commitment to protect the region’s tuna resources.
‘The monitoring, control and surveillance work at the FFA is a key part of our work and goes toward addressing the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and contributing to sustainable fisheries management in the region,’ he said. ‘This work also ensures the long-term sustainability of our fisheries.’
The outcomes of MCSWG28 will be submitted to the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) for endorsement.
‘These outcomes will feed into the FFC, where policy considerations and resourcing requirements are required and also incorporated into the FFA annual work programme. The next FFC meeting will be held in Niue in May,’ Allan Rahari added.
The week-long meeting brought together over 115 representatives to Honiara from all 17 FFA Members and international observers including SPC, WCPFC, Pacific QUAD, PEW, WWF Pacific, IMCS Network, Global Fishing Watch and NOAA – under the theme Monitoring and Improving Compliance with Fisheries Management Frameworks in the Pacific Islands Region.
The meeting was chaired by the Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority (NFMRA) Oceanic Fisheries Manager Malgram Dowabobo.
