THE Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Nestor Ghiro has highlighted the crucial role of the Pacific Islands Forum and regional policies, treaties and comprehensive fisheries management arrangements play towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4.
Minister Ghiro was addressing the Honiara Summit on Day 2 yesterday.
He said regional organisations such as PIF, along with regional policies, treaties, and comprehensive fisheries management arrangements play a crucial role in achieving this goal, re-echoing Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s sentiment that through regional leadership collaboration it is accomplishable.
“Without the vision of Leaders for the region to work together, the SDG14.4 target cannot be achieved.”
“Without the Leaders establishment of key institutions, the SDG14.4 target cannot be achieved.
“And without the Leaders endorsement of regional policies, treaties and tools to ensure comprehensive fisheries management arrangement are in place, the SDG14.4 target cannot be achieved,” Minister Ghiro said.
Minister Ghiro said PIF, which was established in the early 1970s, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable fisheries.
He touched on the important policies and treaties adopted by PIF leaders, including the Vava’u Declaration on Pacific Fisheries, the Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Minister Ghiro also touched on binding treaties signed by PIF member nations such as the Forum Fisheries Agency Convention, the Nauru Agreement, the Wellington Convention on Long Driftnets and the Niue Treaty on Cooperation in Fisheries Surveillance and Law Enforcement.
He said all these are crucial in supporting sustainable fisheries in the region and emphasised the importance of Zone-Based Management and Coastal States’ Rights as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Minister Ghiro said without the vision and cooperation of regional leaders, achievement of SDG 14.4, which aims to effectively regulate harvesting, end overfishing and implement science-based management plans, will not be possible.
The Summit ends today.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
