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Media Release / For immediate release Thursday April28 2011
Regional Collaboration not enough
The global nature of the threats and challenges to the security, and safety of the oceans and the resources that inhabit it cannot just be solved through regional cooperation alone. This sentiment was delivered by the Director for Environment, Mr Jope Davetanivalu at the opening of a two day workshop on oceanic fisheries management organised by the WWF South Pacific.
The workshop brought together participants from Kiribati, Tuvalu, Niue, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, the UN, the regional environment affairs office from the US Embassy and representatives from partner environment non-governmental organisations to deliberate on increasing the effectiveness of fisheries management initiatives in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
“I believe that the heart of what will be discussed is the recognition that no single country can deal with these challenges alone, Mr Davetanivalu said.
“In my opinion, cooperation sectors, and open dialogue between old and new partners are, and will be important in order to achieve progress on being effective stewards of these resources. Just as important are the social issues connected to fisheries.”
“The global nature of the threats and challenges to the security, and safety of the oceans and the resources that inhabit it cannot just besolved through regional cooperation. It requires effective management at the national level and participation by various stakeholders.”
As the focal point of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in Fiji, Mr Davetanivalu also highlighted the five year funding boost from the GEF that will see offshore fisheries management stakeholders in the region deliver effectively on its mandate.
“I would like to recognize the 5-year funding assistance by the GEF in progressing the work on oceanic fisheries management in the Pacific Islands through the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), as well as recognising a possible niche for eNGOs and CSOs in it; the UNDP here in Suva as the Coordinating Agency for these funds in the Pacific Islands; and to the Oceanic Fisheries Management Programme Secretariat housed at the FFA, in Honiara for the timely distribution and monitoring of these funds to those delivering the work.”
The Workshop was facilitated by the WWF South Pacific, the University of the South Pacific, Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Fisheries Forum Agency.
ENDS
For Editors:
You are more than welcome to send a reporter and a photographer to attend and cover this workshop.
It is being held at the conference room in Tanoa Plaza in Suva and the two day workshop ends tomorrow.
Media Enquiries:
WWF SPPO Press Officer, Jone Tuiipelehaki
E:
P: 3315533 M: 9380979
WWF SPPO Communications Manager, Snehal Morris
E:
P: 3315533 M: 9001369