Get Hooked on the Electronic Monitoring Symposium in
The Federated States of Micronesia, April 10-12, 2019
Join us in transforming how seafood is managed worldwide
Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. January 16, 2019 – The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is excited to announce a first of its kind symposium from April 10-12, 2019 in Pohnpei assemble key senior officials from Pacific nations and tuna management institutions to examine how electronic monitoring (EM) can be used to drive more sustainable fishing practices. Why is EM so important? EM systems use technology such as video, cameras, remote sensors, global positioning system (GPS) satellites, and hard drives installed on fishing boats to automatically gather critical fisheries data. With EM, we can stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which robs Pacific island nations of more than USD$600 million a year and we can ensure that tuna continues to feed the world’s growing population.
Three months ago, when President Peter M. Christian declared FSM’s commitment to achieve full tuna fishery transparency by 2023, he was not going to wait to take action. He set the example for other Pacific island nations– introduce EM and improve human observer coverage for all the industrial tuna fishing vessels in FSM’s waters. With more than half of the global tuna supply coming from the western and central Pacific Ocean, there is a need to collect better fisheries data through EM to ensure that food resources and livelihoods continue to exist for future generations. And that we minimize bycatch of at-risk species like sharks, rays, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals.
And now the call to action: President Christian, with support from The Nature Conservancy, is challenging FSM’s neighboring Pacific island countries to meet this same goal through the Technology for Tuna Transparency (T-3) Challenge. The T-3 Challenge is a combination of monitoring and regional pacts aimed at improving fishing oversight. The initiative represents the first time a developing country has committed to 100% transparency in its fishery operations; if it succeeds, it could trigger a transformation of how seafood is managed worldwide.
The FSM is not alone in this challenge. The Parties to the Nauru agreement (PNA), which includes the eight Pacific island nations that control over 50 percent of the world’s supply of skipjack tuna and get as much as 50 percent of their national income from fishery revenues, are adopting EM programs. Taking into account FSM’s leadership on the T-3 Challenge, the PNA Office will launch EM programs within the region to help advance this critical goal.
In support of the T-3 Challenge and the growing EM interest within PNA, FSM is hosting an EM symposium in Pohnpei, FSM from April 10-12, 2019. The goal is to align on a shared regional vision for the application of EM. This will also provide an opportunity to share lessons learned and best practices for evolving EM programs in the western and central Pacific Oceans. The expected outcomes are: (1) clear commitments from other Pacific islands nations to the T-3 Challenge, (2) a shared vision for EM, (3) enhanced knowledge of EM and EM program design and implementation, and (4) an appreciation of the challenges and advantages of EM.
We believe that fish, marine ecosystems, and people can coexist and thrive, and that the road to sustainability runs through community empowerment. We hope this vision will be shared by FSM’s Pacific neighbors, consumer advocates, and fishing partners. Protecting half of the world’s tuna stocks could be just the start of the global transparency revolution needed to protect our oceans – and our future.
Join us at the EM symposium from April 10-12, 2019 in Pohnpei, FSM and take the first step in securing the global tuna supply and ensuring the socio-economic well-being of Pacific island nations.
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About The Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) – made up of the four island states of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae – has a population of 103,000 people and shares maritime borders with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam and Papua New Guinea. The capital, Palikir, is located on the island of Pohnpei. Learn
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 72 countries, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.