Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele, outlines the vision and role of the Pacific leaders over time in pursuit of sustainable fisheries-fisheries that is sustainably managed to benefit current and future generation.
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 1970, the sustainable utilization of marine resources was identified as a matter of common interest amongst the membership.
The unique dependence of countries in the region was and continues to be of importance.
In 1972, forum leaders highlighted the significant dependence by the region on marine resources and called for space or consideration in the recognition of territorial sea claims in the region.
This was also the start of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.
At the eighth leaders’ meeting in Port Moresby in August 1977, leaders adopted a declaration on the law of the sea and a regional fisheries agency.
In July 1979, the treaty establishing the foreign fisheries agency, Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), was adopted by Pacific leaders in Honiara.
In 2018, Pacific leaders’ setup of the Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting to ensures that leaders would receive comprehensive fisheries updates from all Pacific regional organisations, including the Pacific Community, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Office of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement and FFA.
Turning to SDG 14.4, PM Manele said, when the SDGs were agreed in 2015, countries in the Pacific region had already commenced putting in place comprehensive management arrangements to achieve SDG 14.4 target.
“For example, Pacific leaders in early 2000s required strengthened mechanisms to protect fisheries resources, particularly in recognition of their importance to the social and economic development of the region.
“Following that, fisheries and law enforcement ministers in July 2010 tasked officials to develop a multilateral agreement that will strengthen fisheries management and provide a robust legal framework for more integrated, cost-effective and efficient maritime surveillance in the region,” PM Manele said.
He added that in November 2012, the New Treaty Subsidiary Agreement (NTSA) was adopted to enhance active participation in cooperative surveillance and enforcement activities by providing a framework for the parties to share resources and exchange information, including fisheries data and intelligence, with the purpose of supporting the continuous improvement of the management and development of the fisheries resources in the region, ensuring their sustainability and maximizing the social and economic benefits.
“While there is a need to strengthen management efforts for near-shore fish stocks, the health of the offshore tuna stocks has achieved the SDG 14.4 target, notwithstanding the region should not rest on its laurels or be complacent.
“Climate change, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, over-exploitation and marine pollution continue to adversely impact regional efforts to ensure sustainability,” he said.
He added that as many countries in the region are small island developing states with vast oceans within their respective jurisdictions, the vision of Pacific leaders in bringing everyone together in the early 1970s is not worthy.
“Without the vision of leaders for the region to work together, the SDG 14.4 target cannot be achieved. Without the leaders’ establishment of key institutions, the SDG 14.4 target cannot be attained or realized.
“Moreover, without the leaders’ approval for the establishment of instruments and tools to ensure comprehensive fisheries management arrangements are in place, the SDG 14.4 target cannot be achieved,” PM Manele said.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
