Director of Marine and Wildlife Resources Archie Taotasi Soliai is chairing the 16th Pacific Community Heads of Fisheries Meeting in New Caledonia this week.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting he said, “As leaders in fisheries and marine ecosystems management, we are acutely aware of the challenges we face now and in the future. Overfishing, climate change, and the degradation of marine ecosystems represent just a few of the complex issues confronting our region.
“These challenges require our immediate attention and decisive action. By working together as a unified body with a shared vision and commitment, we can develop effective strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of our marine resources.”
Soliai told delegates that despite the ongoing challenges, “…We remain committed to finding solutions and making progress towards a sustainable and resilient fishery in our region. We continue to show resilience towards the current issues facing our countries and our blue Pacific continent, drawing on our rich cultural heritage and knowledge of our Ocean.”
He said the meeting also provides “an opportunity to discuss contemporary challenges, lessons learned, and potential solutions in addressing the impact of climate change and the access and utilization of fisheries and aquaculture data. Our aim is to identify actionable steps and priorities towards creating a sustainable and resilient fishery.”
