We are a longstanding supporter of sustainable Pacific fisheries which are crucial for economic development, food security, nutrition and sustainability. Australia supports increased benefits to Pacific island countries (PICs) from sustainable commercial and subsistence fisheries and effective governance and ecosystem-based management mechanisms for sustainability.

Australian support is largely implemented through regional fisheries organisations. We are an active member of and contributor to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency ($5 million annually) and to the Pacific Community ($3 million annually).

Australia’s strong partnership with the Forum Fisheries Agency serves to strengthen fisheries management and cooperation in the Pacific to ensure all PICs benefit from the sustainable use of tuna. This also supports the Forum Fisheries Agency to operate the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre that coordinates regional operations to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Australia also implements additional programs to help our regional partners tackle IUU fishing, including through coordinated engagement under Australia's Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Our support to the Pacific Community helps underpin scientific monitoring and assessments needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of valuable offshore fish stocks, primarily tuna, and coastal fisheries that support food security.

Australia also provides support through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for community-based fisheries management and aquaculture assistance to enhance food security, nutrition and improve livelihoods. Our third phase of support ($8 million, 2020-24) aims to scale up existing community-based fisheries management programs in Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and extend the framework across the region.

Our assistance is guided by the following regional and Australian plans:

• Pacific Islands Forum: 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent
• Future of Fisheries: A Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries
• The New Song for Coastal Fisheries-Pathways to Change
• Pacific Framework for Action on Scaling up Community-based Fisheries Management: 2021-2025
• Australia and the Pacific: Partnering to Support Sustainable Oceans and Livelihoods
• ACIAR: Improving community-based fisheries management in Pacific island countries

Related initiatives

Fisheries Development Assistance in the Pacific

Up to $142 million 2009-2023

Related documents*

Related links

• Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Division of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems
• Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency
• ACIAR overview of Community Based Fisheries Management Phase 2
• ANCORS overview of Community Based Fisheries Management Phase 2
• Video on the pathways CBFM project in Vanuatu

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