_{^{by Lamantha Lano}}

The 17 member countries of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) were called on to see the critical need for sustainable fisheries management, Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia says.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 23rd Annual Ministerial Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) and the 5th Annual Regional Fisheries Ministers Meeting in Honiara, Tovosia said, “It is our collective responsibility to safeguard these marine resources. Sustainable management must be central in managing our fishery resources.”

He called for increased regional efforts to address the adverse impacts of climate change on fisheries adaptation and migratory patterns.

^{_{Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Bradley Tovosia presenting a gift to FFA Director General Dr. Munamatavai Tupou-Rose| Credits: Charley Piringi.}}

Additionally, Tovosia announced that the Solomon Islands government will host the FFA Honiara summit in February next year for member countries.

FFA Director General Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Rosen echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regional solidarity for the sustainable future of the fisheries sector.

The Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) serves as the governing council for the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), facilitating regional cooperation and coordination on fisheries policies among its 17 member countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Nauru, which recently hosted the FFC Officials 133rd Annual Meeting (FFC133), will assume the FFC Ministerial Chair role during this week’s event, hosted by the FFA Secretariat in Honiara.

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