South Pacific Group (SPG) framework aims to sustainably use oceanic fishery resources through collective management and cooperation

Representatives from the six nations comprising the South Pacific Group (SPG) in Majuro. (L-R) Tonga’s CEO Fisheries, Dr. Tuikolongahau Halafihi, Fiji’s Minister of Fisheries Hon. Kalaveti Vodo Ravu, Niue’s Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Esa-Sharon Mona Ainuu, Samoa’s Associate Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Maiava Fuimaono Tito Asafo, Cook Islands Associate Minister Hon. Tingika Elikana and Vanuatu’s Acting Manager of Fisheries Policy and Management Mr. Ajay Arudere. 

Six Pacific Island states have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collectively to manage and maximise the benefits from a key fishery in the region. 

In signing the agreement, representatives from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu - collectively known as the South Pacific Group (SPG) - are agreeing to develop a framework that aims to sustainably use oceanic fishery resources through collective management and cooperation for the maximum benefit of their respective populations. SPG's immediate area of interest is the management of the southern longline fishery, with a particular focus on South Pacific albacore tuna. 

This fishery stretches across the exclusive economic zones of SPG members, who work with the broader Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) membership on proposals to improve the management of albacore within the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). 

 The MOU is supported by a South Pacific Group Strategy 2023-2028 seeking to ensure sustainability, improved economic and social benefits, and good governance in the South Pacific tuna fisheries. The SPG, along with Australia, have tabled a proposal for an interim target reference point (iTRP) for South Pacific albacore, which will be considered at this year's WCPFC meetings, noting the Commission is due to adopt a iTRP for south pacific albacore this year. 

In addition to the iTRP proposal, the SPG has also developed a flexible zone-based management agreement for the South Pacific albacore fishery that will bring additional benefits to participating countries when it is adopted and implemented. 

 The SPG is also working collaboratively to maximise benefits in purse-seine fisheries management, explore shared services in support of oceanic fisheries management, and to develop collective positions and strategies for advocating interests at regional meetings of the FFA, WCPFC, and other multilateral arrangements. The MOU was opened for signature by SPG member states on the sidelines of The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial meeting, which is taking place in Majuro this month from July 3-6, 2023. --SPG, MEDIA RELEASE

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