HONIARA, 18 April 2019 – Observer training, maritime boundaries and new training initiatives were on the agenda of a high-level meeting in Honiara on Tuesday between the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and senior representatives of the Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Foundation (OFCF) of Japan.
The OFCF of Japan provides annual funding to the FFA for a range of important initiatives that benefit FFA members.
“The OFCF’s support is very valuable. This partnership promotes mutually beneficial cooperation between FFA and Japan,” said the Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen.
Dr Tupou-Roosen highlighted new and ongoing initiatives supported by this Japan Promotion Fund particularly in the areas of:
· Maritime boundaries – support for technical, policy and legal personnel from FFA Members and regional agencies to work together to address the processes required for the finalisation of boundaries. Recent recipients of this support include Palau, Vanuatu, and Fiji.
· Observer training – support to the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment course for the Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Observer (PIRFO) Trainers in June 2018. A total of 24 students graduated from USP Pacific TAFE with a level 4 qualification, 16 of which were directly supported through these funds. PIRFO Trainers are able to plan, design, deliver, assess and certify students enrolled in PIRFO training courses. This qualification has become pivotal in the development and ongoing work in upskilling Observers in electronic reporting.
· FFA Training Website – support for the development of a dedicated site to access FFA training information and be more informed on training events in the region. Responding to Member’s requests for closer coordination of training activities, the site aims to share training events, publications and provide those seeking careers in fisheries with scholarship links and opportunities.
Dr Manu-Tupou-Roosen noted: “The assistance provided particularly in the area of maritime boundaries aligns with the importance Pacific Leaders have placed on the urgency of securing the region’s maritime boundaries for the development and security of the region. We are grateful that the Japan Promotion Fund can support this important work and value greatly our relationship with the OFCF”.
##ENDS##
For more information and photos contact Donna Hoerder, FFA Media, ph: +677 7733097 donna.hoerder@ffa.int
About Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)
FFA assists its 17-member countries to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). FFA provides expertise, technical assistance and other support to its members who make sovereign decisions about their tuna resources and participate in regional decision making on tuna management. www.ffa.int
Follow us on Facebook | on Twitter
#Ourfishourfuture #tuna #forumfisheries #fisheries2019 #FFA40yrs #FFA40th
