“This is the Year for South Pacific Albacore” as Manila meeting faces high stakes push for consensus: WCPFC Chair
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Dr Josie Tamate, says she is “confident” the Tuna...
Pacific’s Tuna billions at stake as WCPFC Chair pushes for Albacore breakthrough in Manila
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Chairperson Dr Josie Tamate says the economic future of Pacific tuna fisheries hinges...
“Lack of monitoring is one of the biggest obstacles” to sustainable tuna management: Nature Conservancy warns WCPFC
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has delivered a blunt message to next week’s Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22) in...
Manila meeting risks “destroying WCPFC credibility” as obstruction stalls harvest strategy, Tuna advocate warns
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
One of the region’s most outspoken tuna advocates says the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) faces a...
Tonga’s next PM hangs in the balance as King ends visit to China
Tonga is in political limbo following last week’s general election.
Parliament has not yet chosen a new Prime Minister, leaving the nation’s leadership uncertain.
Newly...
PNG Parliament endorses PNG – FSM treaty on Maritime Boundaries and cooperation
Papua New Guinea Parliament on Wednesday ratified an important treaty between Papua New Guinea and the Federated States of Micronesia.
This Treaty permanently establishes the...
PNG unveils new foreign policy
Papua New Guinea has launched its most significant foreign policy overhaul in more than 40 years, with Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko warning Parliament that...
WCPFC warns data gaps, weak monitoring and stalled harvest strategy threaten effective tuna management
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has issued a blunt assessment of its 2025 performance, warning that persistent...
WCPFC flags unpaid dues and rising reliance on voluntary funds as 2025 budget pressure grows
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) enters 2025 with nearly a third of its agreed member contributions still...
Pacific nations head to Manila “united, focused” as FFA pushes for decisive tuna management at WCPFC22
By Pita Ligaiula in Manila, Philippines
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members are heading into next week’s Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22) in...
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New Zealand funding pause forces Cook Islands into early budget overhaul
The pause in $30 million(US$17 million) New Zealand funding has placed "immediate pressure" on Cook Islands Government finances, according to the Public Accounts Committee...
Trump’s plan to resume nuclear testing hits a sensitive nerve in the Pacific
By Ron Rocky Coloma
When Vehia Wheeler first heard whispers that the United States might resume nuclear testing, she did not believe it. The news...
High risk of economic losses from Cook Islands nodule extraction and sales – new...
The economic potential of seabed polymetallic nodules in the Cook Islands has been overstated, according to a new independent study commissioned by Greenpeace International.
The...