Tuna, The Heart Of Pacific Identity Must Be Guarded

Professor Transform Aqorau advocated that the Pacific Island nations are the custodians of their tuna-rich waters, the largest on the planet. The collective future of the world depends on whether people join them on this path. He is affiliated with the Solomon Islands National University and was speaking at the International Symposium on the Science of Pacific Tunas and Tuna Fisheries in Shanghai this week. He emphasized how international frameworks offer opportunities for sustainability, equity, and recognition of Pacific stewardship. However, they pose challenges if implementation is not aligned with regional priorities and the sovereign rights of coastal states. Aqorau highlighted that the power of cooperation requires a principled stance and unity, reported Pina.

The WTO agreement will aid nations in curbing harmful subsidies to foreign fleets fishing in their waters, and the BBNJ Treaty will extend their stewardship from national waters to the high seas. He warned that due to climate change, the tuna migration will shift, causing a 37 percent reduction in income for Pacific nations. The recent rulings by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and International Court of Justice linking climate change to marine pollution give these countries access to climate finance and a legal basis for tackling major emitters.