Mr. Charleston Deiye the CEO of The Nauru Fisheries and Marine Resources Authority, said today they welcomed “the future of fisheries†study report, but sought to clarify generalizations and apparent misconceptions expressed in the media coverage. Perceptions that suggested there is a regional problem and an inability of Pacific Island Nations to manage resources.
Most media coverage was based on excerpts of the SPC’s -Secretariat of the Pacific Communities- press release, which was titled “Fisheries face collapse without strategic action†. This press release by the SPC said in its introduction:“A major study of the future of pacific island fisheries indicates that, without concerted strategic action now, fisheries across the region face collapse within the next 25 yearsâ€. (Press release published on atuna.com earlier today).
SPC members are the Pacific Island nations : members: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, , Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.
But the SPC also includes larger member nations such Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States of America.
One of the aims of the overall SPC/FFA Future of Fisheries Study is to present three scenarios for the future – “worst - if current systems don’t workâ€, “business as usualâ€and “best, if we take additional recommended actionsâ€. The report is essentially identifying the actions that will need to be taken to avoid the worst case scenario in 35 years time when populations are projected to double and scarce inshore fishery resources likely to face localized depletion, and in the event that existing governance regimes do not work.
However, Mr. Deiye, pointed out that the PacificIslands fisheries, especially artisanal and commercial tuna fisheries of PNA, are today some of the most sustainably-managed and healthy tuna fisheries in the world. There are limits not only on catch, but on effort, and with active participation by coastal states as well as distant water fishing nations through a regional convention - the WCPFC - that fully takes into account the provisions of the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.This is especially so in Nauru and in all the 8 PNA Party EEZ which produce almost 30% of global canning tuna, from well managed tuna stocks and have progressive domestic and regional management regimes including: 100% VMS coverage, 100% coverage by on-board observers, tuna catch retention, high seas and other area closures, FAD bans, effort controls [VDS], in port transshipping, etc.This we understand is not the case in most other high seas tuna RFMOs outside of our region.
He said: “the small island states in the Pacific also benefit from a very active system of independent regional support for their EEZ fisheries management. The PNA Office, FFA and the SPC Oceanic Fisheries Programme all help to operationalise different aspects of regional fisheries conservation and management measures, and to maintain tight monitoring and control of the tuna fishing activities in our waters. We also get substantial support from third parties, particularly in surveillance.â€It worries me stated Mr. Deiye, when such positive achievements by these small vulnerable island economies are presented in such a negative light by media.
Of course, things may be a lot worse in 35 years time if everything we are doing and planning falls apart in line with other tuna regions globally. “But we are not expecting that worst-case future!â€
In conclusion, Mr. Deiye stated “I have every confidence in the ability of my own administration and those of my neighboring PNA and FFA countries, and our leaders, to keep these tuna fisheries fully sustainable for the future. Unlike other areas, this is a in zone rather than high seas fishery and it would be a disaster for our PNA nations and our island peoples if we didn’t, as these sustainable tuna resources are our heritage and our children’s future.â€
