A new coalition of educators and international policy experts aims to aims to foster innovative fisheries policies and develop and inspire a new generation of fisheries leaders across the Pacific Islands region.
Pacific Catalyst will initially focus on generating research and advancing innovative management approaches for tuna. It also intends to establish a fisheries think tank and training centre at the University of the South Pacific (USP).
“Every island nation owes its existence to the ocean’s life force and the resources it contains. And since no force in our ocean is more unifying and amazing than tuna, that’s where we begin our work,” said the founding director of Pacific Catalyst, Dr Transform Aqorau, who is former deputy director of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and former CEO of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement.
“In coming years we will expand our scope to include coastal and lagoon fisheries as well,” he added.
Sustainability goal
Inspired by the goals of the Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries, Pacific Catalyst will complement national and regional efforts to enhance both the sustainability and value of marine resources while promoting employment opportunities and food security.
In addition to supporting development of long-term solutions to fishery management challenges, a key goal of Pacific Catalyst is to increase the numbers of young people interested in marine science, economics and policy, then to provide them with both educational and practical fisheries management experience.
Technical support will be provided by partner organisations including the University of the South Pacific, the University of Wollongong, Duke University, iTunaIntel and Environmental Defense Fund.
