Canned tuna. (Photo: Stock File)

Tokelau’s Govt and Tri Marine sign MoU

The Government of Tokelau and United States-based Tri Marine have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase the economic benefits of the nation's tuna fishery.

Through this long-term development agreement, the two parties will work together on management and surveillance to ensure long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

It also provides employment and training opportunities for Tokelauns to work at the Samoa Tuna Processors (STP) plant cannery in American Samoa, which belongs to Tri Marine.

“We have been working on this partnership for three years. It represents a mutual commitment to work closely together to sustainably manage and bring to market Tokelau’s tuna resources through Tri Marine’s large-scale tuna facilities in Pago Pago, American Samoa,” explained Phil Roberts, Tri Marine Managing Director.

And he added: “We expect that through this arrangement there will be employment opportunities for Tokelau nationals to work on board Tri Marine’s fishing vessels, canneries and offices in the region and around the world.”

Through this MoU, the Tokelau Government will provide fishing access to longline vessels targeting both albacore and tropical tuna, which will be supplied to STP.

Tokelau authorities stated that the MoU advances Tokelau’s near-term goal of maximizing revenues from its tuna resources while also pursuing its long-term strategy of sustainably managing its fishery.

Meanwhile, Joe Hamby, Tri Marine Chief Operating Officer says the MoU is supplementary to the US South Pacific Tuna Treaty and connects the resource owners with the industry.

"We can add value for the US market and we can share with Tokelau how we can manage that fishery in the best possible way. And making sure that this fishery is something that we can all be proud of as a local fishery where fish is caught locally, processed locally, and shipped to the best possible markets," Hamby concluded.

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