Dr Transform Aqorau, CEO of Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), has paid tribute to the late Nannette Dilly Malsol, head of Palau Fisheries who passed away on Thursday after a difficult battle with cancer.

He said that the PNA region and the fisheries fraternity in the Pacific Islands have lost a leader, a visionary and patriot who was not afraid to speak out and defend the interests of the Small Island developing States.

She was instrumental in helping to establish the PNA Office and provided guidance and leadership in the formation of the PNA Office as a separate legal entity. This foresight has seen the transformation of the fisheries, and the huge success of the PNA has been attributed to the support that Nannette gave to the process. Not only that, but she had the distinct honour of being the first female Chair of the PNA, a position that she held and discharged with great conviction from 2012 to 2013. She presided over the PNA during quite difficult times when Parties were struggling to reshape the Treaty on Fisheries with the US and also coming to terms with the difficulties of the allocation process of the Vessel Day Scheme.

"I always foresaw that Nanette Malsol would one day play a leading role in the PNA and indeed the region because of her leadership qualities,” said Dr Aqorau.

“I told her that it was only a matter of time that she will be leading the region and the PNA. Her illness and loss has deprived us of a strong leader but also wonderful friend. Her strong leadership qualities in the fisheries was accompanied by a wonderful smile and strong outgoing persona. She endeared herself to all who came across her not just those of us from the Pacific Islands but also from the Distant Water Fishing Nations as well. Her loss is such a tragedy for us.”

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