Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka called for a united front among Western and Central Pacific nations to manage their tuna resources, even suggesting the formation of a “tuna OPEC” to wield greater influence in the global market.
At the official opening of the 21st Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Thursday, Rabuka emphasised the critical importance of sustainable tuna management for the Pacific, a region where “islands, and communities have been shaped by the ocean that surrounds it.”
He underscored the need for science-based decision-making in the face of challenges like climate change, illegal fishing, and the demands of a growing global population.
“Our decisions must be based on sound scientific research and data,” Rabuka said while urging the commission to “rely on the best available science to guide us in making small choices that promote the sustainability of our shared tuna fisheries”
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for collaboration, acknowledging the limitations of smaller island nations and calling for equitable sharing of resources and knowledge.
“It is essential that we manage our scientists, fisheries experts, and local communities to ensure that our policies reflect a holistic understanding of the marine environment,” he added.
In the Pacific, the WCPFC and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have been working together to address the complex challenges facing tuna fisheries in the Pacific. These challenges include illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the impacts of climate change, and ensuring equitable access to tuna resources for Pacific Island countries.
However, in a bold proposition, Rabuka suggested the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as a potential model for Pacific nations.
“Why can’t we in the Pacific whether it is the western and central Pacific, or the whole of the Pacific Forum region, in our joint EEZ form ourselves into a joint tuna exporting or tuna fisheries ground community that can become a powerful world trading bloc?” he challenged, while also cautioning against the pitfalls that have plagued OPEC, such as instability and corruption.
The WCPFC meeting will continue through next week with discussions focused on developing strategies for long-term marine ecosystem preservation and economic sustainability.
