Minister Paea Reaffirms Regional Fisheries Commitment
Wellington, New Zealand – 1 July 2026 – Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Polycarp Paea, has reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring the sustainable management of Pacific fisheries in his Opening Remarks at the 25th Annual Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Ministerial Meeting in Wellington, New Zealand.
.Minister Paea said the annual ministerial meeting provides an important platform for Pacific Fisheries Ministers to deliberate on key issues affecting the region’s fisheries sector and to collectively chart the way forward.
Highlighting strategic items before Ministers which includes a sustainable funding for the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), management of the south Pacific albacore fisheries, the East New Britain Initiative and the ratification of the United States Treaty, Minister Paea calls for collective commitment and sound decision-making to ensure our fisheries resources remain sustainable and continue to deliver economic benefits for our people into the future.
Ministser Paea assures his Ministerial Colleagues that Solomon Islands supports a positive and progressive outcomes from the meeting, emphasizing the country’s commitment to working alongside fellow Pacific nations to strengthen regional fisheries governance.
“Solomon Islands associates itself with decisions that will ensure both our tuna and coastal fisheries remain sustainable and profitable for future generations,” he said.
Minister Paea also expressed appreciation to the FFA Secretariat for its continued technical, financial and policy support to Solomon Islands over the past 12 months, acknowledging the Secretariat’s important role in strengthening fisheries management and development across the region.
The 25th Annual FFC Ministerial Meeting brings together Fisheries Ministers from FFA member countries to consider strategic regional tuna fisheries issues and guide collective action to protect and maximize the value of the Pacific’s tuna fisheries resources.