Organizers

 

THE CONFERENCE

The tuna fishery in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) is the
largest and most productive tuna fishery in the world. The region produced
around 2.4 million tons of tunas (skipjack, yellowfin, albacore, bigeye and
bluefin tuna), worth an estimated US$ 3.8 billion, accounting for 55% of the
global tuna catches in 2007. Thus, the WCPO is not only important to the
Pacific Island countries, but it is also important to the global tuna industry.
Tuna canneries in Asia, for example, rely heavily on raw material from the
WCPO.

As many Pacific Island countries depend heavily on tuna as their main source
of income, they are increasingly determined to better utilize their resources for
greater economic benefits. Going beyond the collection of fees from foreign
fishing vessels, they now consider investment in downstream activities. Papua
New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands and Fiji have been particularly active in
attracting foreign investment for tuna processing and canning.

Considering the importance of WCPO as the heart of the global tuna industry,
The 2nd Pacific Tuna Forum 2009, will be the best forum for all stakeholders,
particularly for those who want to strengthen their business under the current
challenging global economic scenario and for those looking for new
opportunities in the region. The Forum will be held at the prestigious Crowne
Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby, PNG, from 2– 3 September, 2009.

THE FORUM

Pacific Tuna Forum 2009 will be jointly chaired by eminent industry
representatives from the Pacific countries and reputable industry leaders
from Europe and Asia. The Forum will closely look at the current economic
downturn and its impacts on the global tuna industry; tuna stock levels and
resources in the region; investment opportunities, not only in tuna fishing but
also in processing and marketing; resource management and its impact on
the industry; tuna industry status and prospects in the Pacific countries; trends
and outlook in major markets; international trade and trade barriers; quality
and new product development; prospects for the future and many other
topics of interest.