FISHERIES compliance work will be enhanced with 10 new tablets received from the Honiara-based Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) on Thursday.
The tablets were funded under PEUMP Program and FFA Director General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen was present to hand them over to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in a brief handover ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tupou-Roosen explained, the tablets will strengthen the tools available to compliance officers, making their work more efficient, particularly in transferring valuable data to the regional e-port system.
She also highlighted that the Solomon Islands was the first to develop a national e-port system and that Noro would soon join the regional system.
Dr Tupou-Roosen expressed the FFA Secretariat’s readiness to continue supporting the Solomon Islands in its leadership role.
“The tablets will replace the mobile phones currently used by officers, allowing them to implement e-port state measures more effectively. They can also be used for other types of data collection as needed.”
She thanked MFMR for its continued leadership and acknowledged the critical role of PEUMP (Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership), the European Union and the New Zealand government in funding the tablets and the regional e-port state measures system.
“We cannot manage our fisheries effectively without the valuable work of our compliance officers,” Dr Tupou-Roosen added.
In response, PS Dr Ramofafia expressed gratitude for Dr Tupou-Roosen’s presence and the generous donation.
Dr Ramofafia emphasized the importance of the tablets in data collection and compliance activities, which are crucial for sustainable fisheries and combating IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing.
He also acknowledged the unwavering support of the FFA in the Ministry’s programs and assured continued commitment to their partnership.
- MFMR
FFA Director General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen and Permanent Secretary Dr Christian Ramofafia confirming the tablets handover document prior to signing it. Photo: MFMR
