Fiji’s Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu has called for stronger coordination and investment to ensure Pacific countries capture greater economic value from offshore fisheries.
Speaking at the Development Partners Symposium convened by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Suva Tuesday, Bainivalu said the theme “Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries” reflects the need for practical cooperation.
“The theme of this Symposium — ‘Casting Together for Impactful and Sustainable Fisheries’ — is both timely and strategic.”
“For Fiji, this theme speaks to coordination with purpose. In offshore fisheries, no country or institution can secure long-term prosperity alone. Impact comes when political will, sound management and strategic investment move in alignment.”
She said offshore fisheries, particularly tuna, remain among the region’s most significant economic assets, forming a critical part of national income for many Pacific Island countries.
“Effective management of offshore fisheries is not the endpoint of our ambition — it is the prerequisite.”
“Management secures the resource. Development determines how far that resource transforms our economies.”
Bainivalu said that under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Leaders have set a long-term vision for a resilient and prosperous region exercising collective stewardship over the ocean, with offshore fisheries central to that vision.
She noted the operating environment is changing, with climate variability affecting tuna distribution, rising demands for transparency, technological shifts in monitoring and trade, and intensifying competition for marine resources.
“If we are to cast together for impact, we must focus on securing greater long-term value from tuna resources while maintaining credibility in international markets.”
She outlined priorities including strengthening domestic and regional processing capacity, improving logistics and supply chains, investing in data systems and fisheries economics, advancing digital monitoring and reporting systems, and ensuring more economic value is retained within Pacific economies.
“Sustainability remains the foundation — but impact must now be measured in value retained, jobs created and resilience strengthened.”
Bainivalu acknowledged the role of development partners in supporting fisheries governance and monitoring, and called for deeper collaboration in climate adaptation strategies, advanced analytics, electronic monitoring, processing infrastructure and innovative financing.
“Casting together means aligning ambition with practical investment.”
“It means ensuring cooperation delivers measurable outcomes.”
“And it means building an offshore fisheries sector that is climate-resilient, technologically advanced and globally competitive.”
Looking ahead to 2050, she said the region should see “A Pacific that remains central to global tuna supply; A Pacific that captures greater economic value from offshore fisheries; And a Pacific whose tuna sector reflects both sustainability and impact.”
“Fiji stands ready to work alongside FFA Members and development partners to advance this shared vision.”
“Our ocean connects us — but in offshore fisheries governance, we are strongest when we cast together with clarity, discipline and long-term purpose,” she said.
