Media-Releases

Key fisheries meetings outcomes – US Treaty, Billfish Committee and SPRFMO

NADI, FIJI & HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS OCTOBER 2009: FFA participated in a number of key meetings this month, outcomes from which are detailed below.

US TREATY
The regional headquarters of FFA, Honiara, Solomon Islands, hosted the Special Pacific Islands Parties Internal Meeting on 28 October and the 1st Renegotiation Session of the Multilateral Treaty on Fisheries Between Certain Governments of the Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America (commonly referred to as the "US Treaty") from 29-30 October 2009.

Initial exchange of views and discussions were positive. The Pacific Island Parties and the US expressed a shared interest in renegotiation on three key elements - licensing arrangements including financial and economic aspects, the fishing opportunities available to US flagged vessels and the duration of an extension of the Treaty arrangements which are due to expire in June 2013.

Pacific Islanders achievements in driving international tuna commission highlighted at UNDP-GEF conference

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA, MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2009: As the 5th Biennial GEF International Waters Conference hosted in Cairns opened today, participants heard about the remarkable achievements of Pacific Island countries in fisheries management.

Even though Pacific Island countries have limited resources spread over a marine area 30 million square kilometers, they have been at the forefront of developing innovative measures to manage fishing including the establishment of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

Outcomes from PNA meeting this week

BIKENIBEU, TARAWA, KIRIBATI, THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2009: The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), met this week and agreed to actions to advance their interests in securing greater economic benefits from the tuna resources and co-ordinate and harmonise the management of common fish stocks for the benefit of their peoples.

FFA FISHERIES TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2009

FFA FISHERIES TRADE NEWS : Volume 2: Issue 9September 2009

FISHERIES SUBSIDIES
Update on fisheries subsidies 'Roadmap' discussions at the WTO

PREFERENTIAL AND FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
EU to drop tuna tariff for Southeast Asian countries? 

FISHERIES TRADE-RELATED REGULATION
Update on EU IUU regulation: implications for developing country exports 

TUNA MARKETS
Strong growth and signs of success in India's efforts to expand tuna exports
US canned tuna brands introduce new products, campaigns 

FISHERIES TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
Concern over bluefin decline heightens, policy action ensues

FFA members make gains at WCPFC committee

POHNPEI, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2009: At
the Fifth Regular Session of the Technical and Compliance Committee (TCC5) of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Pohnpei this week, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members advanced recommendations to increase effectiveness of fisheries management in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.

Observers identify needs to implement WCPFC decisions

NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA & POHNPEI, FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, SEPTEMBER 2008: Recent meetings of Fisheries Observers indicate that observers need more support to meet the increasing challenges set by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) which is this week hosting the Technical and Compliance Committee in Pohnpei to discuss increasing observer coverage among other issues.

FFA and SPC coordinated two key observer meetings last month – the Observer Coordinator Workshop (a meeting of national observer

Kiribati fines ship $1 million USD following Operation Kurukuru

BETIO, KIRIBATI, 23 SEPTEMBER 2009: The High Court of Kiribati today fined the owner and master of a foreign fishing vessel a total of USD $1 million  for fishing in Kiribati waters without a licence.


The fine came as the High Court handed down its judgment on the prosecution by Kiribati Attorney General of Chung Ching Fu and Sung Hui Ocean Company Ltd, master and owner respectively, of the Vanuatu flagged, longline fishing vessel Sung Hui.

Kiribati court fines ship for illegal activities

BETIO, KIRIBATI, 27 AUGUST 2009: The Kiribati Court of Appeal today fined the owner and master of a ship not licenced to operate in Kiribati waters when it handed down its judgment in the appeal by Athena Shipping and No Euihyeong, owner and master, respectively, of the Hai Soon 28.

On 21 February 2009 Hai Soon 28 was seen unloading fuel to a fishing vessel without a permit. A Kiribati Police Officer, Kiribati Fisheries Officer boarded the Hai Soon 28 from a US Coastguard vessel and brought the ship back to port where it was placed under arrest.

FFA prepares for WCPFC subcommittee

FFA members will meet in Pohnpei, FSM, from 25-30 September to prepare for the Technical and Compliance Committee Meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

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