The Kingdom of Tonga has taken another important step in strengthening regional fisheries cooperation, with Viliami Sisifa, Tonga’s Minister for Fisheries, signing and depositing the instrument of ratification for the 2024 Amendments to the Treaty on Fisheries with the Government of the United States of America.
The signing took place Wednesday on the margins of the FFCMIN25 marking Tonga’s acceptance of the 2024 Amendment which involved changes to Annex II (Access and Fees) of the Treaty.
The amendments introduced updated arrangements for licensing, access fees and fishing days, providing greater flexibility and improved economic opportunities for Pacific Island Parties.
The signing, witnessed alongside Papua New Guinea in its role as Depositary of the Treaty, reflects the continued commitment of Pacific Island countries to working together to strengthen the regional fisheries agreement.
Tonga’s deposit of its Instrument of ratification of the 2024 Amendment will make it the eighth party to ratify such Amendment, leaving eight more parties to the Treaty to similarly do so, including the United States.
The updated commercial arrangements support sustainable access to Pacific tuna fisheries while delivering long-term economic benefits to Pacific Island Parties through a modernised framework that runs through to 2033
