The conservation of sharks and the state of the southern albacore fishery are on top of the agenda for Tokelau in Apia this week.
Addressing the 11th Session of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) at Tuana’imato yesterday, Ulu o Tokelau, Kuresa Nasau (pictured), said fisheries is a vital resource for his country as it is the main source of economic security, contributing 96 per cent to their revenues.
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“The conservation and management of the pacific fisheries are of vital concerns to Tokelau and to many of us,” he said. “We are prepared to do our fair share to conserve and manage the marine environment.
“However we should not be prepared to accept a disproportionate burden from conservation and management measures to be placed on our people.
“We look forward to the Commission addressing its obligations to ensure that conservation and management measures do not place a disproportionate burden on Small Island Developing States and Territories.”
Mr. Nasau said for several years now, Tokelau has been particularly concerned about the conservation of sharks.
“You will recall that five years ago Tokelau declared our EEZ as a shark sanctuary. We have implemented a range of measures to reduce the impact of tuna fishing on shark mortality.
“We hope that other countries follow our lead and give serious consideration to the FFA shark conservation proposal.”
He also highlighted issues about the southern albacore fishery. “I am pleased to advise that F.F.A Fisheries Ministers have endorsed a new arrangement to improve the management of albacore fishery.
This new arrangement is now known as the Tokelau Arrangement.
“At this Commission meeting, members will be considering a new measure to be introduced to enhance the management of southern albacore fishery. For the sake of all South Pacific Countries I look forward to a successful conclusion on this matter.” Lastly, Mr. Nasau reminded that his country has a significant tropical tuna purse seine fishery and is an active participant in the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (P.N.A) Vessel Day Scheme.
“Tokelau will be particularly focused on ensuring that any new measure is fair and does not place a disproportionate burden on our people. I look forward to members of the Commission giving considerable thought to the P.N.A plus Tokelau’s proposal.”
Mr. Nasau also congratulated Samoa for hosting the conference.
“To the Prime Minister of Samoa and her people, it is always heart warming to be in Samoa. I truly feel at home whenever I am in Samoa.
“Thank you Samoa for your hospitality and providing outstanding facilities to the meetings.
“I am certain this will contribute to another successful meeting as you already proved when you hosted the S.I.D.S meeting in September this year.”
M.O.U SIGNED
Tuna Supply Company Tri Marine International and the government of Tokelau inked a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U) on the sidelines of the 11th Regular session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (W.C.P.F.C.) yesterday.
The signatories were Phil Roberts, Managing Director of Tri Marine International and Ulu o Tokelau Faipule Kuresa Nasau.
The M.O.U has been under development for three years. Accordingly, Tri Marine International and Tokelau have recognized three years ago the importance of connecting the resource owners in the industry for mutual benefit.
Mr. Roberts said they expect that the fish caught will be processed in American Samoa where they can add value for the U.S. market and they can share with Tokelau how they can manage their fishery in the best possible way.
Earlier this year, Tri Marine opened a Fresh and Frozen facility at the Samoa Tuna Processors (STP) Inc. site in Atu’u, American Samoa.
“There will be opportunities for monitoring and surveillance and control of the fishery. We’ll have people that can be interns,” he said.
“Creating job opportunities for Tokelau nationals in American Samoa and making sure that this fishery is something that we can be proud of.”
“Local fisheries where fishes caught locally are processed locally and shipped to the best possible markets.
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