MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will provide incentive funding to recognise effective action by Pacific island countries to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Australia has also offered immediate support to avoid the potential collapse of key fish stocks in the Pacific.
As a first step, Australia will provide $500,000 to strengthen the regional monitoring, control and surveillance of key Pacific fisheries. Funding will be provided under the government's overseas aid program and will be additional to existing Australian support for sustainable fisheries in the region.
Responsible and effective stewardship of the region's fisheries resources remains a key driver for sustainable economic growth in the Pacific. The total value of landed tuna from Pacific island waters is estimated at more than $1 billion annually, and domestic fisheries contribute up to 22 per cent of GDP in some Pacific island countries.
Scientific advice on tuna stocks is that catches must be reduced by at least 25 per cent for bigeye and 10 per cent for yellowfin. Coastal fish, seaweed and shellfish are also declining, dramatically in some places.
Complementing our immediate assistance, Australia is developing a program of longer-term support for fisheries in the Pacific, focussing on economic growth through sustainable management of fish stocks.
Our long-term support will focus on strengthening governance and regulation, supporting sustainable outcomes, encouraging private sector development in fisheries and improving scientific information on stock levels.
This support will help provide food security, sustainable livelihoods and economic growth for current and future generations of Pacific people.
Media contact:
Malcolm Cole (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500