Cabinet has endorsed the National Fisheries Policy 2024–2028. The policy provides a strategic framework for managing Fiji’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors, focusing on sustainability, economic growth and food security. The policy includes strategies for specific sectors within the fisheries sector, including offshore fisheries, aquaculture and coastal and inland fisheries. It will also focus on cross-sectoral issues and assist in addressing marine spatial management, gender and youth involvement, environmental policies, and the intersection with tourism. The policy is the result of extensive stakeholder consultations and aligns with national objectives and international commitments. Source: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/new-fisheries-policy-prioritizes-food-security

Marine Stewardship Council certified tuna fisheries is increasing, enabling a ready supply of responsibly sourced produce for a growing number of brands and retailers. As of 16 January this year, an estimated 42% (2,085,200 tonnes) of the global tuna catch is MSC certified, with a further 11% (539,179 tonnes) in assessment. Skipjack fisheries were a major contributor to this shift with MSC-certified skipjack now available from all four oceans (Atlantic, Indian, Eastern Pacific and Western Central Pacific) compared with two years ago when only Indian and Western Central Pacific Oceans catches were certified. Source: https://www.worldfishing.net

There will be an agreement on the revised Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Tropical Tuna Measure when the Commission meets in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in December. WCPFC executive director Rhea Moss-Christian revealed this to RNZ Pacific in an interview on Tuesday. Speaking from Ponphei in the Marshall Islands, Moss-Christian said this was something members have been discussing in the past months, following the initial decision taken in Vietnam. "With respect to the tuna measure, I would say that across the membership, the general view is that there will be agreement on a revised measure," she said. "It will change…

MALAYSIA: In Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia, IPNLF’s Fisheries Director Roy Bealey, experienced firsthand the intricacies and complexity of the local fishing practices and gained direct insights into local fishers' obstacles and their aspirations for a more sustainable future. Many of these remote communities face similar challenges such as a scarcity of ice to preserve the quality of their catch, inequitable market dynamics, and limited control over the value chain. IPNLF’s experience in working with remote fishing communities in other parts of the world where they face similar challenges opens opportunities for knowledge exchanges and solutions-based technical innovation to combat climate…