Pacific fisheries officials and delegates have convened in New Zealand since May 11 for the 142nd Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) session. This pivotal meeting addresses the future of regional fisheries cooperation and the sustainable management of tuna stocks, which are vital to the Pacific’s economic and social well-being. In his opening remarks, Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General Noan David Pakop underscored the importance of cooperation. “To remain effective and continue leading in this space, we must ensure that we are strengthening ourselves from within through stronger systems, stronger institutions, stronger governance, and stronger regional solidarity.”

The agenda topics include preparations for the upcoming WCPFC negotiations. Management procedures for tropical tuna and albacore in the South Pacific, reinforcing the united stance of coastal states, and improving cooperation on monitoring, control, and surveillance will be addressed. Recurring priorities are implementing climate change measures, securing market access, and advancing regional ambitions like the East New Britain Initiative. Pakop reminded attendees that the FFA’s overarching goal is simple yet profound: “Ensuring that Pacific people derive the greatest possible social and economic benefits from the sustainable use of our tuna resources.”

Jessie Graef has been appointed as the new Director of Retail Sales of Anova Food, the leading North American supplier of sashimi-grade ready-to-eat tuna products. The company is a subsidiary of Bumble Bee Foods. Graef, in his LinkedIn post, said that he is “looking forward to collaborating with partners and teams to unlock growth opportunities and bring innovative seafood solutions to market.”

The executive brings years of experience in sales and retail, having worked at Kroger and later at Gordon Food Service, where he served as Category Manager. Before joining Anova Food, he was Senior Manager for Strategic Sourcing at Topco Associates. Graef added that the new role is “focused on driving market share and increasing consumption of sustainable seafood protein.”

Maldivian state-run Mifco will soon begin exporting its premium canned tuna, Fasmeeru Felivaru, to Sri Lanka through Colombo-based Development Interplan Ceylon Ltd. (DICL). The deal was signed yesterday in Sri Lanka by Maldives President Muizzu and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

This milestone marks the formal entry of Maldivian tuna products into the Sri Lankan market, with DICL serving as the exclusive local representative and distribution partner for Fasmeeru, reported Sri Lankan news sites. Canned and packaged tuna products and other Maldivian delicacies will be available for consumers in Sri Lanka. DICL also plans to broaden consumer access through its upcoming retail and wholesale platform, Zefro, expanding the availability of premium, sustainably sourced seafood nationwide. Last year, the two nations joined hands to enhance tuna sector ties, including training fishers.