Region seeks stronger control of $3b tuna resource

Pacific tuna, worth more than US$3 billion (F$6.67b) annually, is at the centre of high-level talks in Suva as regional leaders seek to secure the future of one of the Pacific’s most valuable resources.

Speaking at the second Development Partners Symposium of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu said the region must take stronger control of its ocean wealth and ensure greater economic returns remain within Pacific nations.

The two-day meeting at Holiday Inn Suva has brought together FFA member countries and development partners under the theme “Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries.”

Ms Bainivalu said the tuna industry supports more than 26,000 jobs across the region and generates over US$500 million (F$1.1b) annually in government revenue. For many Pacific island countries, it remains a critical source of income, employment and food security.

However, she warned that no single country can manage the resource alone.

“Our ocean territories are vast, and the challenges are complex,” she said, citing illegal fishing, climate change and shifting fish stocks.

The Minister stressed the need to transition from donor-driven programmes to Pacific-led solutions, aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

She said effective fisheries management — including strong stock assessments, monitoring and governance — was essential. But she added that success would ultimately be measured by how much economic value is retained within the region.

Pacific leaders are pushing to expand local processing, create more jobs, improve export systems and strengthen climate resilience.

“Management protects the resource,” Ms Bainivalu said.

“Development determines how much that resource transforms our economies.”

She noted that the fisheries sector is evolving rapidly, with climate variability affecting tuna migration, global markets demanding greater transparency, and technology reshaping enforcement.

To remain competitive, the region must invest in advanced monitoring systems, digital reporting tools and improved data analysis. Strengthening oversight of exclusive economic zones through regional cooperation is also a priority.

The symposium aims to better align development partner support with the FFA’s strategic plan, reduce duplication and ensure tangible outcomes.

As host nation, Fiji has called for deeper cooperation to ensure the Pacific remains central to the global tuna supply while securing the full economic benefits for its people.

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj