New Zealand has committed NZ$50m (US$39.7m/€31.5m) over the next three years to support Pacific fisheries and oceans.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key says this represents NZ$10m (US$7.9m/€6.3m) over and above existing commitments.
“The region faces challenges to sustainably develop what is its single most important resource for food security, livelihoods and economic development,” said Mr Key.
“The stakes are high. The Pacific is the last great ocean on the planet not yet overfished. Its waters now account for two-thirds of the value of the global tuna catch.”
He said that New Zealand has been encouraged by the progress the region is making in lifting returns to tuna fisheries and improving conservation and management and is committing additional support to increase returns from tuna resources, boost employment, and support sustainable development of fisheries resources.
The support will target regional management of longline tuna resources, facilitate high quality investments in Pacific fisheries sectors, strengthen the science that underpins fisheries management decisions, and implement best practice to manage local fish stocks and a healthy coastal environment.
