BY SAPT STAFF
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency is holding a regional meeting in Nadi this week to discuss human rights issues such as working conditions at sea and in processing plants, of the estimated 27,000 Pacific Islanders employed in the tuna fisheries sector.
The Dialogue summons tuna industry representatives, governments and civil society organisations to discuss the linkages between human rights, gender equality, social inclusion and productivity in tuna fisheries, which is a major source of revenue for most FFA members, earning between 40-80 per cent of national income annually.
The dialogue also aims to increase understanding on human rights, gender and social inclusion issues currently faced in the region and how the fisheries sector can better address these issues using a human right- based approach and applying a gender and social inclusion lens to improve the access to decent employment and working conditions in the tuna industry.
Fiji’ Minister of Fisheries and Forest, Kalaveti Ravu says, the fishing industry is a source of livelihood and cultural identity for many communities.
He adds that the fishing industry is not just about the financial gains, but also about preserving the traditional practices and ways of life for future generations.
Ravu says, like every country in the pacific, the tuna industry is a major contributor to the Fijian economy, providing employment opportunities and generating significant revenue for the country.
However, Ravu says the industry continues to face numerous challenges, including overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the exploitation of fishing communities
“These issues not only affect the health of our ocean resources, but also the well-being of our people.
“As a member of the Pacific community – the custodian of the Pacific Ocean, we recognize and are committed to ensuring that the resources of the Pacific Ocean are protected, well managed and sustainable for all Pacific peoples – women, men, children, and the elderly,” he says.
Ravu says the FFA Regional Dialogue on the Human and Social Dimensions of the Pacific’s Tuna Fisheries is a testament to our collective commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the human dimensions of the tuna fisheries in the Pacific region.
