Prime Minister Hands Over Noro Fisheries MCS Building and Data Centre

Honiara, 13 Nov 2025: Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele officially handed over the new Noro Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Building and the Noro Data Centre, describing the occasion as “a proud moment of partnership, resilience, and progress” for Solomon Islands.

He said the two facilities symbolize the nation’s commitment to sovereignty, digital resilience, accountability, and innovation, and will help strengthen the management and protection of the country’s marine and digital resources.

The SBD 17 million MCS Building, funded by the World Bank through the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program, will boost Solomon Islands’ ability to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improve real-time vessel monitoring, and enhance coordination of enforcement and surveillance operations.

Prime Minister Manele said, “The protection and preservation of our marine resources are vital for our nation’s future. This facility ensures our monitoring and surveillance capabilities are strong, modern, and strategically located.”

Strategically located in Noro—the country’s tuna hub—the facility complements SolTuna and Noro Port operations and introduces an electronic fish accounting system to improve transparency and traceability.

The Noro Data Centre, funded by the Government of Australia (AUD 1.3 million), supports the Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda by serving as a disaster recovery site for national systems and enabling more resilient, inclusive, and decentralised digital services.

The Prime Minister thanked the World Bank, FFA, and Australia for their partnership, along with the Western Provincial Government and contractors Reeves International and TCS International for successful delivery.

The World Bank Country Manager, Mr Bernard Harborne,  said the project strengthens institutions, builds local capacity, and ensures fisheries continue contributing sustainably to livelihoods, food security, and national revenue. “By securing sustainable and productive fisheries, competitive industries, and market access, it benefits households in Noro, the Western Province, the Solomon Islands, and across the Pacific,” the spokesperson said.

Prime Minister Manele reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintain and operate both facilities effectively, stating, “When we work together — Government, partners, and communities — we can achieve results that make a lasting difference.”

Australia’s Acting High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, H.E Andrew Schloeffel presenting his statement

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Hon. Bradley Tovosia hands over offical document for the establishment of the Fisheries Complex in Noro to the Premier, Hon. Veo with PM Manele looking on

PM Manele and Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Hon. Bradley Tovosia after unveiling the plaque

PM Manele and other officials being shown the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in the new Fisheries complex in Noro. VMS usually used to monitor IUU fishing

PM Manele and other officials visits the Data Center

PM Manele presenting his statement

SIG ICT Director, Steve Erehiru explains the features of the data center to PM Manele while listening on in picture is Hon. Jimson Tanangada, Hon. Bradley Tovosia