Fiji will play host to the 5th Pacific Tuna Forum 2015 from September 22 to 23 at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island.

The forum will be co-hosted by the Government of Papua New Guinea (through the National Fisheries Authority) and the Fijian Government (through the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests).

This regional tuna industry and trade conference will allow people in the industry to share their experiences, address issues on the tuna fishing in the Pacific and come up with solutions.

Fijian director Fisheries, Aisake Batibasaga, said the focus would be on sustainable tuna fisheries management and development and marketing options.

He said they will also be looking at niche market creation and other new innovations as well as look at trade barriers and challenges.

He confirmed they are expecting close to 400 participants attending the fodum from all regional fishing nations.

Funding

Mr Batibasaga said the PNG Government has pledged to fund for all the costs of the meeting venue.

This would be in addition to some funding support for the travel arrangement for key representatives or experts/panelists who are to provide key information and areas of interest during the conference.

He said the total estimated cost for the forum is FJ$800,000.

“PNG is allocating funding to the tune of around FJ$450,000. The Fijian Government is thus required to provide complementary funding to support other related cost during the two-day meeting,” he said.

Stakeholders say

The Pacific Fishing Company Limited (PAFCO) chairman, Ikbal Jannif, said they would be looking at ways of enhancing the industry in Fiji,

He said, PAFCO was a player in the tuna industry

“Not only PAFCO but anyone else who is involved in tuna in anyway. It is not about each company – we want the whole industry in Fiji to become more beneficial to the economy,” he said.

Overall forum

National Fisheries Authority managing director, John Kasu, told Post Courier the forum is an important one for Pacific Island nations who have an interest in the tuna industry.

“This is because it can allow people to share their knowledge and experiences.

“Now the objective of this conference basically as I mentioned earlier, is basically bringing together people, investors, people who are involved in the industry of tuna.

“And it’s a venue where you come and you discuss important issues related to the tuna industry, exchange ideas.

“It is an avenue where you have investors looking at potential areas of investment.”

The Pacific Tuna Forum is held biannually and since its inception in 2007, the number of people who have shown interest to participate has increased and this year’s conference will be co-hosted by Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

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