Sixteen Pacific Island fisheries ministers are meeting in Wellington for the annual Forum Fisheries Ministerial Committee, with discussions focused on sustainable management of shared tuna resources.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is chairing the gathering, which brings together representatives from the 17 member countries of the Forum Fisheries Agency. The Western and Central Pacific Ocean accounts for more than half the world's tuna supply, with an annual value of around $9.9 billion.
Most of that catch—approximately four-fifths—comes from the Exclusive Economic Zones of Pacific Island FFA member countries. Ministers are working on management measures for South Pacific albacore, including establishing sustainable catch limits in both high seas areas and national waters.
"Highly migratory fish, like tuna, move throughout the Pacific and are fished by several countries," Jones said. "It's essential we work together to manage the long-term sustainability of these fish stocks."
The Forum Fisheries Agency was established in 1979. New Zealand and Australia provide funding to the agency through their international development programmes. The meetings conclude on 2 July.