Increasing employment and economic benefits from the Pacific’s offshore fisheries is the focus of a new NZD$5 million partnership between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
The partnership was announced at the 7th Our Ocean Conference in Palau, by Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aupito William Sio and FFA Director General, Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen.
Minister Sio says, “the FFA is an indispensable part of the Pacific, building regional solidarity and supporting economic resilience through the sustainable management of the shared tuna fisheries.”
Dr Tupou-Roosen, “we are very grateful to Aotearoa New Zealand for its steadfast and long-standing support. This partnership has been critical in promoting beneficial investments in the Pacific tuna fishery to support jobs and livelihood, and to improve the working conditions for vessel crews.”
The four-year programme of funding aims to attract new investment and help SMEs to grow and diversify their markets.
Dr. Tupou-Roosen adds that they welcome the new component supporting increased female participation in the sector.