Critical shift in focus to value retention for Forum Fisheries

The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is shifting its focus to value retention and economic development for its members, as outlined in the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026-2035. This strategic shift aims to maximize economic returns from the region's shared tuna resources by moving away from exporting raw materials to local processing, value addition, and regional economic collaboration.

FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop emphasized that fisheries and aquaculture are not sectoral issues, but rather strategic regional resources that underpin government revenue, food security, livelihoods, and sovereignty. The Vakamanu Strategy, which includes elements of the East New Britain Initiative and the FFA Strategic Plan 2026-2031, provides Pacific Leaders with holistic oversight of the management and development of the region's fisheries and aquaculture resources.

Brief written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.