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Prime Minister John Key annmounced NZ's investments in Pacific Ocean fisheries. (Photo: YouTube/nz2011office)
Govt invests USD 6.3 mln in Pacific fisheries
NEW ZEALAND
Friday, September 09, 2011, 23:40 (GMT + 9)
New Zealand is investing NZD 7.5 million (USD 6.3 million) in Pacific Ocean fisheries to increase returns to Pacific nations, announced Prime Minister John Key.
“Starting this year, we will invest NZD 7.5 million over five years in a fisheries training programme to ensure a coordinated approach for private sector-led sustainable fisheries development in the Pacific,” he informed.
The investment will go to upgrade the Pacific’s fisheries training institutions, promote the development of seafood businesses, help people in the industry obtain formal and globally recognised qualifications and boost the skills of fisheries officials in areas like international commerce and investment appraisal, Key specified.
He added that the Pacific Ocean’s fisheries are crucial to the region and the livelihood of its denizens, and implementing practical solutions will let Pacific island countries achieve a bigger share of the profits from fish harvests.
“We are implementing the NZD 4.9 million (USD 4.1 million) Te Vaka Moana development programme this year, which will explore ways to maximise returns from the Southern long line fishery, improve fisheries management and address the issues caused by illegal fishing,” Key continued.
In addition, NZ will partner with Kiribati to upgrade the latter’s fisheries and marine training centres. Kiribati has the world’s second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The 42nd Pacific Islands Forum was held in Auckland this week with Key as the Forum Chair.
Leaders there reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regional solidarity for the effective management and conservation of highly migratory fish stocks such as tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Leaders acknowledged important developments in the fisheries sector, including: fisheries science, conservation and management measures under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC); re-negotiation of the Multilateral Fisheries Treaty with the US to generate larger economic benefits; early ratification of the convention establishing the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation; and greater monitoring, control and surveillance activities, such as negotiations towards the conclusion of a Niue Treaty subsidiary agreement.
They underscored the significance of the Multilateral Fisheries Treaty and called for an early conclusion of negotiations to secure fair and maximum returns to the Pacific Islands Parties.
Sixty per cent of the global tuna catch worth around USD 4.3 billion comes from the Pacific Ocean. Leaders expressed concern about illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), which causes losses of up to USD 400 million per year for the region.
Moreover, Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Director Dr Transform Aqorau spoke at the Pacific Tuna Forum 2011 and warned tuna industry participants to work with the PNA or risk losing access to the fishing grounds.
“My simple message to industry and distant water fishing nations is: ‘Shape up or Ship out!’” said Aqorau. “Either you work with the PNA, by changing your approach to provide local economic benefits in PNA countries and support our conservation and management of tuna, or ship out. Because only those who work with the PNA countries will remain in this fishery.”
Related article:
- US, Australia asked for help to fight overfishing in Pacific
By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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