This two-week comprehensive operation underscores the unwavering commitment from Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Members, Pacific QUADs and partners to safeguard the invaluable marine resources of Pacific Island nations and Western Central Pacific Ocean. Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities pose a significant threat to the economic stability and food security of Pacific Island nations, undermining the efforts made toward sustainable fisheries management.

Fifteen PIC Members participated (Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Nauru, Nuie, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Nauru, Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, ) alongside assets and personnel from the Pacific Quadrilateral Defense Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs, namely Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States).Operation Kurukuru 2023 (OPKK23) was conducted in the combined area of the 15 participating Members’ Economic Exclusion Zones (EEZ’s) and the adjacent high seas pockets in an area of operation (AO) approximately 21.3 million square kilometres which is over three times the land mass of Australia.

Source: https://www.ffa.int/2023/11/operation-kurukuru-joint-forces-combat-iuu-fishing-to-secure-sustainable-fisheries-future/

There will be an agreement on the revised Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Tropical Tuna Measure when the Commission meets in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in December.

WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian revealed this to RNZ Pacific in an interview on Tuesday. Speaking from Ponphei in the Marshall Islands, Moss-Christian said this was something members have been discussing in the past months, following the initial decision taken in Vietnam.

"With respect to the tuna measure, I would say that across the membership, the general view is that there will be agreement on a revised measure," she said. "It will change and everybody is looking at those fishing opportunities. For purse seine fisheries, the number of days that are available to fish on the high seas." And then in the longline fishery, the number of the amount of catch, the catch quarters for flag states. So those are the two main pieces of this measure. "And my sense is that the Commission members fully expect to be able to make changes and agree to those changes in December. "Pacific countries that are members of the WCPFC include Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The participating territories include American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna.

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/501523/revised-tuna-measure-on-the-way-tuna-commission

Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) has acquired 54 502 tonnes of fish, resulting in a significant disbursement of Maldivian Rufiyaas (MVR) 91.7 million (USD 6 million) to fishermen. This brings the total disbursement by MIFCO to MVR 965 million (USD 62.42 million) for the current year. 

The company increased the purchase price for fish from MVR 17 to MVR 25 per kilogram (USD 1.1 to USD 1.63) per kilogram on September 16, which has since led to the successful procurement of 9 401 tonnes of fish.

Despite increased fish quantities sourced from fishermen, MIFCO faces challenges in disbursing payments due to its obligation to purchase fish at a loss. The need for government assistance in funding compounds this situation. Delays in distributing funds to fishermen are attributed to difficulties securing the required funds from the Finance Ministry. These funds are necessary to cover the losses incurred by MIFCO, exacerbated by fluctuations in fish purchase prices.

MIFCO is undertaking modernisation efforts to transform it into a profitable enterprise and address challenges during the fishing season. After these upgrades, MIFCO’s cold storage capacity will rise by 48 per cent. Additionally, the government plans to increase freezing capacity by 37 per cent. MIFCO has also acquired three additional boats to enhance its fish procurement capabilities.

Source: https://www.plus.mv/english/mifco-acquires-54502-tonnes-of-fish/