Fisheries Minister Launches Provincial Fisheries Development Plan 2026–2031
Honiara, 14 Nov 2025: The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Bradley Tovosia, officially launched the Provincial Fisheries Development Plan 2026–2031 today, marking a significant milestone in strengthening fisheries governance, service delivery, and sustainable resource management across all nine provinces. The launching also formally concluded the weeklong Annual Provincial Fisheries Officers Conference held in Honiara.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Tovosia said the Plan reflects the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive participation, improved coordination, and stronger partnerships with Provincial Governments, development partners, and coastal communities. He said the Plan provides a structured framework to guide fisheries-related work across the provinces in alignment with national laws and policies. It is built around a shared national vision for a sustainable fisheries sector that supports the socio-economic needs of all Solomon Islanders and recognizes the vital roles of women, youth, elders, and persons with special needs.
The Plan strengthens collaboration between the Provincial Fisheries Division and Provincial Governments to ensure fair and consistent delivery of fisheries management and development services. It supports traditional knowledge systems while promoting social and economic opportunities for coastal communities and encouraging sustainable use of marine resources.
The Provincial Fisheries Division—comprising Management and Coordination, Provincial Fisheries Offices, Provincial Development, and Engineering—will use the Plan as a coordinated roadmap to enhance governance, introduce smart fisheries innovations, and improve services to fishing communities. The Minister said the Plan will help transform strategies into tangible actions that contribute to prosperous fisheries, healthy oceans, and empowered coastal communities throughout the country.
Hon. Tovosia acknowledged that the Plan is the result of two years of work by the staff of the Provincial Fisheries Division at headquarters and in the provinces, together with the Policy Division. He said the Plan is informed by extensive consultations and reflects lessons learned from challenges such as inconsistent service delivery, limited technical capacity, compliance gaps, and the exclusion of marginalized groups from decision-making.
He expressed his appreciation to the staff of the Provincial Fisheries Division and Policy Division for their dedication and thanked Provincial Secretaries from the nine provinces for their role in validating the document. He also acknowledged the support of Te Pa Tui of the Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand—particularly Mr. Paul Creswell and Ms. Agnes Yeeting—for providing consultancy support. He further thanked the MSSIF Program for funding the conferences and workshops that shaped the Plan, as well as the Executive Management of MFMR for their leadership.
In closing, the Minister called on all stakeholders to support the implementation of the Plan, noting that it aligns with the Ministry’s corporate goals and sets a strong foundation for strengthening provincial fisheries services. “Together, let us build a resilient, inclusive, and thriving fisheries sector within our provinces that benefits not only this generation, but the many to come,” he said.