Solomon Islands Blocks All US Navy Ships
The Solomon Islands has temporarily suspended all naval visits by the US as relations continue to deteriorate between Washington and the Pacific nation.
The US government was notified by the Solomons on Monday of a “moratorium on all naval visits, pending updates in protocol procedures,” according to a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Canberra, who said that officials will continue to “monitor the situation.”
The confirmation comes after a US Coast Guard cutter received no response from Solomons authorities when it requested permission to stop and refuel at the Pacific nation on Aug. 23. Continue reading here (Source: gCaptain).
Filipino Tuna Industry Players Push for Creation of Separate Fisheries Department
Tuna industry players here have pushed for the creation of a separate Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) to unlock the full potential of the country’s fisheries sector.
At present, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency responsible for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the Philippine fisheries and aquatic resources, is under the Department of Agriculture.
In a press conference Monday for the 22nd National Tuna Congress on September 1-2, Rosanna Contreras, executive director of the Soccsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc., said their proposal for a separate department of fisheries has not prospered. Continue reading here(Source: Minda News).
Kiribati Fisheries Minister Takes Chairmanship of FFC
Kiribati Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Ribanataake Tiwau, has been appointed Chair of the Forum Fisheries Agency’s Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) at the Committee’s 19th meeting in Tarawa this year.
At the official opening of the meeting on Tuesday at the new Kiritimati Island Fish Limited office in Ambo, Tiwau used his own version of the famous ‘I have a dream’ speech to get things started.
“I have a dream” that one day our Pacific Region will become the tuna cartel of the world, where we control the supply and dictate the price of our tuna resources for the benefit of our people. Continue reading here (Source: Pacific News Service).
Kiribati Government Should Keep Focus on Fisheries Over Tourism, Says Local Fisherman
Plans to diversify Kiribati’s economy away from a reliance on licenses for fishing access are some way off being realized, and the island needs to keep its focus on fisheries, according to a local tuna fisherman.
Mike Tallarida, a Kiribati captain operating purse seine vessels in the Western and Central Pacific since 1995, told SeafoodSource he believes the local fisheries sector can be sustained at current levels for 30 years or longer, with the right governance.
“Until the infrastructure is built to attract the tourists to the Pacific islands, the fishing sector is [the] money cow,” Tallarida said. “I don’t think the stocks will be depleted after 30 years with the proper conservation plans. A better accounting of the monies coming into the islands and where they end up needs to be done also.” Continue reading here (Source: SeafoodSource).
Vietnamese Seafood Exports Slow Due to Global Inflation
Vietnam’s seafood exports have been slowing down since July as inflation takes a toll on consumption in the U.S., E.U. and U.K.
Exports to the U.S. declined by 30.5% year-on-year in July after inflation in that country hit a 41-year high the previous month, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Black tiger shrimp exports were down 69% and that of pangasius fish, 4%. But tuna shipments increased by 34% and that of squid by 90%. Continue reading here (Source: VnExpress).
Operation Island Chief Protects Pacific From Illegal Fishing – FFA
Operation Island Chief, a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency-led surveillance operation covering 18.2 million square kilometres, came to a successful closure today (Friday 26th August 2022).
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director Fisheries Operations, Mr Allan Rahari said the 12-day Operation was strengthened by local knowledge and expertise.
“Island Chief, one of four operations conducted annually, is a massive operation that covers the Pacific waters of 11 participating FFA member nations – Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the high sea area,”said Mr Rahari.
Continue reading here (Source: Voxy).
