24th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting Concludes In Niue

Scoop

3 days ago

ALOFI, NIUE, 24 JULY 2025 – The 24th Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministerial Meeting and the 6th Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting (RFMM) concluded today in Niue, with a Ministerial Retreat held in Alofi.
Ministers from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu attended the meeting, along with the Fisheries Minister of New Caledonia, who participated as an observer. Senior officials representing Australia, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Nauru, Samoa, Tokelau, and Tonga were also in attendance.
The official FFCMin24 Communiqué was adopted during the retreat, outlining key priorities and agreements that will help shape discussions at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands this September.
The Communiqué addresses critical issues such as the Fisheries Roadmap, the Chair's Ocean Literacy Initiative, and the implementation of FFA's Climate Change Strategy.
Key Ministerial Endorsements include:
Adoption of the Ocean Literacy Initiative
Ministers reaffirmed the importance of Ocean Literacy and the need to ensure it reflects our Pacific identity, culture, and environment. They recognised that this initiative strengthens the connection between our ocean, language, culture, and traditional ecological wisdom that is deeply rooted in our communities and people.
They called for whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration to ensure a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach and expressed gratitude to the Ministerial Chair Hon. Mona Ainu'u for her leadership on this initiative.
Implementation of Climate Change Strategy
Ministers welcomed the progress on the implementation of the FFA Climate Change Strategy and acknowledged the engagement of Members and the Secretariat in the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.
They directed the FFA Secretariat to continue supporting Members in implementing the Strategy, and strongly reaffirmed support for the Government of Australia's bid to host UNFCCC COP31 in partnership with the Pacific in 2026.
This will elevate the call for more action to protect our oceans and tuna fisheries from the impacts of climate change.
South Pacific Albacore Management
Ministers unanimously endorsed the landmark agreement on proportional allocation of South Pacific albacore (SPA) among FFA Members - a breakthrough that marks a major milestone in regional fisheries management and stands as a powerful testament to Pacific unity, collective leadership, and mutual respect.
They supported the formation of a strong and unified FFA negotiating position to be taken to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in December 2025.
East New Britain Initiative (ENBi)
Ministers noted progress on the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi), including enhanced resourcing and funding support.
They acknowledged that some elements that have already been advanced by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Members through initiatives such as Pacific Island Tuna (PIT), Tripartite and other PNA proposals focussed on dockside offloading, in-region processing and electronic monitoring.
Ministers noted that PNA Ministers take the lead on the commercialisation of the ENBi and directed the FFA Secretariat to accelerate its operationalisation in close association with the PNA – including efforts on regional processing hubs and the establishment of the Regional Fisheries Development Fund.
Independent Refresh and Performance Review
Ministers welcomed the final report of the Independent Refresh and Performance Review of the Agency and endorsed the formation of a small working group, to be chaired by the Ministerial Chair, to oversee implementation of the recommendations in collaboration with the Director General.
They also acknowledged the need for adequate resourcing to support the Director General in delivering on the report recommendations.
Economic and Fisheries Ministerial Working Group
Ministers noted updates from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and the FFA Secretariat on the feasibility of establishing a joint Economic and Fisheries Ministers Working Group.
They agreed to suspend the initiative until the institutional arrangements within the Member countries and the Secretariats are in order.
2050 Strategy and Review of the Regional Architecture
Ministers noted the update on the 2050 Strategy and the Review of Regional Architecture.
They reaffirmed their strong commitment to supporting the FFA Secretariat and acknowledged the significant national and regional value generated through fisheries cooperation.
Observers from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO), The Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) were also in attendance. The meeting was supported by the FFA Secretariat.
New Zealand will host the next FFC Ministerial meeting in June 2026.
About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)
FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management.