Vuna Road, Sopu
Tongatapu, Tonga

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.
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