Fisheries Minister Hon Paea (3rd left), FFA Director General Mr Noan Pakop with officials from both the ministry and FFA at the FFA Conference Facility.
Fisheries Minister Visits FFA Secretariat
Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Polycarp Paea, yesterday paid a visit to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat early this week to familiarize himself with the work of the regional fisheries organization.
The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Dr. Christain Ramofafia, Deputy Secretary (Technical) Mr. James Teri, Deputy Secretary (Corporate Services) Mr. Patteson Lusi, and Director of Fisheries Mr. Edward Honiwala.
The visit commenced with a presentation by FFA Director-General Mr. Noan David Pakop, who provided an overview of the Agency’s mandate, key priorities, and the services it delivers to its member countries.
The visit was aimed at enhancing the Minister’s understanding of the FFA’s role in supporting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific and the benefits that member countries, including Solomon Islands, receive through their membership of the regional organization.
The Minister concluded his familiarization visit with a tour of the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC), where he was briefed on the Centre’s critical role in coordinating regional fisheries surveillance operations and supporting member countries in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The briefing also highlighted the Centre’s collaboration with Pacific member countries and partners to strengthen monitoring, control and surveillance efforts, helping to protect the region’s valuable tuna resources.
Minister Paea speaking after the presentation by DG Pakop highlighted the importance of sustainability of this lucrative Tuna resources and thanked the FFA Secretariat for the great ork on behalf of the Members. The Minister assured the FFA director General of Solomon Islands continual support for the work of the Secretariat as the host country of FFA.
Fisheries Minister Hon Polycarp Paea receiving a gift from FFA’s Director General Mr Noan David Pakop
The Minister with officials from the Ministry of Fisheries at the Secretariat.