The Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Noan Pakop, has called for deeper coordination and strategic alignment between Pacific Island countries and development partners to protect and maximise the value of the region’s tuna resources.
Delivering his welcome remarks at the 2nd FFA Development Partners Symposium in Suva under the theme “Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries,” Pakop said the gathering reflects both the Pacific’s heritage and its responsibility.
“We gather under the theme ‘Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries.’ This theme reflects both our heritage and our responsibility.”
Pakop said collective action remains central to Pacific fisheries success.
“In the Pacific way, casting is better done together. It requires coordination, shared timing and shared trust. A single canoe may fish — but it is when we move together that we secure lasting abundance.”
He stressed the economic importance of tuna to the region.
“At the heart of this conversation is one undeniable truth: Tuna is the greatest natural resource of the Blue Pacific.”
“It is, in many respects, the common currency of our region.”
Pakop said tuna revenues underpin national budgets and development priorities across the Pacific, and for some countries represent their only natural resource.
“They support public services, strengthen economic resilience and reinforce sovereign decision-making. The stewardship of this resource is central to our collective future as the Blue Pacific region.”
He recalled that nearly five decades ago, Pacific Leaders established a regional fisheries agency — a decision that shaped the region’s management approach.
“That decision has enabled our region to manage what are today recognised as the most sustainable tuna fisheries in the world.”
However, Pakop stressed that leadership in sustainability must be continually maintained.
“But leadership in sustainable fisheries is not a status we inherit — it is one we must continually earn.”
“This makes coordination, cooperation and partnership more important than ever.”
Over the past year, the Secretariat has undertaken internal reflection, supported by an independent performance review aimed at strengthening governance, systems and delivery.
“An independent performance review has provided recommendations to strengthen our systems, governance and delivery which the Secretariat is currently comprehensively addressing. We are also preparing a new Strategic Plan to be presented to Ministers in June.”
Pakop described the process as a renewal phase to ensure the Secretariat remains effective and responsive.
“This is a moment of renewal ensuring that the FFA Secretariat remains fit for purpose, responsive to Members, and positions them to lead in a rapidly changing environment.”
He said the Symposium provides an opportunity for open engagement with development partners to improve coordination and align investments with regional priorities.
“Today’s Symposium offers an opportunity to engage openly with you — our development partners — on how we align our efforts, strengthen coordination and invest strategically in sustainable outcomes.”
Pakop acknowledged the financial and technical support provided by partners, emphasising that long-term objectives must guide cooperation.
“We value your support, both financial and technical to the important work we do for our Members. But above all, we value partnership built on transparency, mutual respect and shared long-term objectives.”
He reiterated the need for deliberate and strategic cooperation.
“If we are to safeguard the greatest shared asset of the Blue Pacific, we must continue casting together — deliberately and strategically,” he said.
