PNG PRIME MINSTER OFFICIATES PACIFIC TUNA FORUM 2007

Pacific Tuna Forum 2007, the maiden International Trade Conference organized by INFOFISH in the Pacific was ceremonially officiated by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Rt. Honourable Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, accompanied by Honourable Ben Semri, MP , Minister of Fisheries. The opening, attended by over 300 delegates and invited guests, was also addressed by Mr Sylvester Pokajam, Managing Director, National Fisheries Authority and Dr S Subasinghe, Director INFOFISH.

The opening session highlighted the very significant contribution of the Pacific for the global tuna industry, accounting for almost 50% of the total global tuna landings and plans afoot to develop the sector in a sustainable manner through prudent development and management

Pacific Tuna Forum 2007 was co-organized by National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Forum Fisheries Agency, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and PNG Fishing Industry Association. The two-day event was attended by 240 participants from nearly 30 countries from all over the world, and 22 specialist speakers.

PTF 2007 discussed issues, problems and strategies in sustaining and developing the Pacific tuna i resources through

application of efficient cost-effective, environment friendly, resource friendly, technologies and improved marketing strategies.

The event had excellent industry support through twenty Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsors. The event was enriched with an exhibition which had a very informative display of products and services. The event would be followed by TUNA 2008, the biennial Global Tuna Technical and Trade Conference to be held from 28-30 May 2008 in Bangkok.

PTF 2007 Press Release

During the Pacific Tuna Forum, the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) noted two projects to focus on the next steps in regional tuna fisheries development.

Mike Batty is the FFA Programme Coordinator of the FFA DevFish Project.  This is for the ‘Development of tuna fisheries in the Pacific ACP countries’ which is funded by the European Union.

Mike noted that the two projects were 1) to develop a Regional Management Framework for South Pacific Longline Fisheries and 2) to develop a Regional Strategy to Maximise Economic Benefits from Purse Seine Caught Tuna.

These projects will address the wide ranging and diverse views of all stakeholders, industry, governments and regional institutions.  Effectively, all views will be prepared, analysed, presented and agreed by all stakeholders.  This will include the important next steps in the development process to enable Pacific Island Countries to sustainably obtain maximum benefits from their natural resources.

Pacific Tuna Forum 2007 Picture Gallery