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Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission meeting 19

The 19th Regular Session of the Commision for the Conservation and management of highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC19) in Da Nang - Vietnam, November 28, 2022.

"FIRST HANDOVER OF DONATED GOODS TO THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AS PART OF THE NON PROJECT GRANT ASSISTANCE FROM JAPAN"

The Ministry of Fisheries hosted an official handover ceremony on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Ministry’s office in Sopu, to mark the first transfer of donated goods and equipment from the Government of Japan to the Ministry of Fisheries as part of a Non-Project Grant Assistance from Japan’s Economic Social Development Programme. This aid is worth $1.3 million U.S Dollars and was formalized on May 27, 2022 by the governments of Tonga and Japan, to assist in the development of the Fisheries Sector and to support the relief from the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcano in early January this year.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ARTISANAL FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

The Ministry of Fisheries together with the Vava‘u Environmental Protection Association NGO, held a day of celebration and awareness program for the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. The year 2022 has been declared as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA), with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the leading agency, working in partnership with Pacific Island countries and regional organizations.

Expand sea cucumber farming to SMA Communities

Sea cucumber farming at Manuka SMA area .

Squid Fishery

SQUID FISHERY HAD BEEN TRIALED IN TONGA SINCE 2018. THERE WAS LESS INTEREST IN THIS FISHERY BY FISHERMEN DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS. DESPITE THAT, THE MINISTRY OF FISHERIES AND THE NIWA PROJECT COOPERATE IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCES TO THE DEEP WATER SNAPPER VESSELS TO FACILITATE FISHING AND HARVEST OF SQUIDS. FISHER ASAELI NEHOA, SKIPPER AND OWNER OF FV AMAILE, CAUGHT GIANT SQUID - DIAMONDBACK AND NEON CATCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 4TH, 2022.

Ministry of Fisheries Planning week 23-26 Jan 2023

PRESS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES RETREAT & PLANNING WEEK 2023

[Kupesi Hotel, Tongatapu, January 23-26, 2023] — The Ministry of Fisheries held its annual Retreat and Planning week at the Kupesi Hotel in Fua’amotu on January 23-26, 2023. The program was opened by Lord Fohe, the Acting Minister for Fisheries and Minister for MAFF, and concluded with a closing function at the Ministry of Fisheries’ office in Sopu.

The Ministry commenced the New Year with the theme “Year of Prosperity” as its guiding light and driving force. The Acting Minister for Fisheries declared that the year 2023 is the “Year of Prosperity” in which the goal of the Ministry is to boost the economic well-being and health of the people of Tonga by uplifting the fisheries sector.

The Retreat also focused on revising the Ministry’s Corporate Plan for the next three years 2023/2024, 2024/2025, 2025/2026 and reviewing the Ministry’s budget for the next financial year 2023-2024.

Representatives from the Public Service Commission and the Prime Minister’s Office were also present in this retreat to support and assist with the inquiries made by the Ministry.

It also brought together the Head of Divisions with their individual Head of Sections including Officers in Charge from Outer Islands, to discuss outcomes from the current financial year and to discuss new initiatives for the financial year 2023 – 2024. The one-week event was a success and Fisheries management staff anticipated a fruitful year ahead with its development efforts in Tonga’s Fisheries Sector.

For more information, please contact:

Kilisitina Akimeta, Ministry of Fisheries, Tonga
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fisheries Management NPOA Shark and Tuna Plan Review Workshop 5th – 9th September 2022.

Fisheries Management NPOA Shark and Tuna Plan Review Workshop
5th – 9th September 2022.

The Ministry of Fisheries conducted a five-day workshop on the 5th – 9th of September 2022 with technical supports from staff of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). Dr. Tuikolongahau Halafihi, CEO for Fisheries delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of this work and welcoming Ms Adele Dutilloy, Lianos Triantafillos and Kaasipo Teo from FFA, and Steve Hare from SPC. Assistance from FFA and SPC are much appreciated.

The purpose of this workshop was to review the NPOA (National Plan of Action for Sharks) Shark plan and finalize the revised Tuna plan where advisors from FFA & SPC conducted sessions on the context of these two plans.
The objectives of this workshop were as follows;
• To set objectives, understand the current status of the plans and to identify areas of improvement.
• Review science and technical sections, set objectives, identify implementation actions for achieving science and technical objectives.
• Review management and operational sections, set objectives, identify implementation actions for achieving management and operational objectives.
• Draft review plan (NPOA Shark) and finalized revised Tuna plan based on the discussions and decisions.

The outcome of the workshop was both Fisheries Management Plans were finalized and will soon be submitted for endorsement.

Issued by Ministry of Fisheries - Tonga

Read more: Fisheries Management NPOA Shark and Tuna Plan Review Workshop 5th – 9th September 2022.

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