A collective approach to Pacific islands fisheries management: Moving beyond regional agreements

Abstract

The sustainable management and profitable development of the Pacific island tuna fisheries is the key ocean governance challenge for the Pacific islands region in the short and medium term. Resolving these challenges is fundamental to the long term future of the region and its ability to implement oceans governance across all resource and conservation concerns. This paper identifies some key implementation challenges facing Pacific island States at the domestic level and discusses further developments in sub-regional approaches to collective management that could significantly boost the national capacity of Pacific islands States to effectively implement their coastal State obligations and sustainably manage their oceanic resources.