Member countries of the Pacific Islands' Forum Fisheries Agency gathered this week to discuss the East New Britain Initiative and enhancing cooperation on "shared aspirations" for sustainable tuna fisheries development.

The Pacific leaders were also attending the Honiara Fisheries Summit in the Solomon Islands, listening to the thoughts of Papua New Guinean Minister for Fisheries, Jelta Wong, doubling down on the initiative's vision.

The East New Britain Initiative was created in September 2023 at the 23rd special Forum Fisheries Agency committee on Papua New Guinea's most eastern province to maximise the economic benefits for members' tuna fisheries by processing the tuna in the region's waters through developing fisheries, regional hubs and spokes, and other value-addition initiatives.

The week also included a plan to establish a regional fisheries development fund for its member countries.

"When discussing the retention of value from our region's tuna catches, we are again reminded of the many challenges facing Pacific Island nations," Mr Wong told the initiative stakeholders.

"These challenges include inadequate infrastructure, unreliable utilities, high-operational costs, limited skilled labour, and geographical remoteness from major markets.

"These challenges will persist if we continue to operate independently, with each Pacific country pursuing tuna fishing and processing investments in isolation."

The Forum Fisheries Agency leaders endorsed in 2023 the establishment of a working group to advance the East New Britain Initiative through both the agency's secretariat and its membership in collaboration with partner agencies.

The East New Britain Initiative working group comprises of Papua New Guinea (in the role of chair), Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Aotearoa-New Zealand, Niue, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu with the Forum Fisheries Agency.

The East New Britain Initiative approach seeks to shift the paradigm by promoting a far greater regional collaboration and leveraging its collective strengths against markets outside of the Pacific.

It was founded on the belief that the Pacific Island nations can achieve more by working together and leveraging each of the members' unique strengths to overcome shared challenges.

This approach aims to create opportunities to develop robust business cases that can be pursued through the distant-water fishing nations, leading fish-trading companies or other forward-thinking investors.

Mr Wong emphasised that stakeholders recognise the value Pacific members bring as custodians of some of the world's best-managed tuna resources, but it comes with a stern warning.

The East New Britain Initiative is serving as a platform for Pacific Island countries to identify strategic entry points, form alliances, and actively participate in commercial tuna ventures and supporting industries.

"The essence of our Pacific way of life is at stake if we allow ourselves to be controlled by external forces dictating global prices," Mr Wong said.

"We are the rightful stewards of our resources.

"It is imperative that we unite as a cohesive region, rather than allowing ourselves to just be picked off one by one.

"We must cultivate a narrative that reflects our collective identity, with the East New Britain Initiative as our vital connection.

"The so-called civilised nations that seek to guide our lives often overlook our rich traditions and cultures, offering misleading aid to maintain their relevance while their foreign policies aim to suppress us.

"Fellow Pacific Islanders, this is our moment to stand together. Just as the tuna roam freely in our waters, we must recognise our power and potential."

Mr Wong told members that in a Pacific context, should the small island nations retain their fish within its region and are behind the processing, the Pacific Islands' Forum Fisheries Agency will secure revenue for generations to come.

"Now, more than ever, we can take decisive action amidst global tensions," he said.

"We must develop strategies that empower us and safeguard our future.

"Let us no longer be passive observers. It is time for us to enact meaningful change.

"No one understands the Pacific better than we do, and the responsibility to shape our destiny lies solely in our hands. Together, we will forge a brighter future for ourselves."

Mr Wong stressed that "despite the vital role Pacific nations play in sustainably managing tuna fisheries, these efforts remain largely unrecognised in global markets".

He pointed to the Marshall Islands' Pacific Island Tuna project with Walmart, as a shining example of what can easily be achieved.

This project disrupts existing supply chains by aggregating the Marine Stewardship Council-certified tuna through its dockside offloading and freighting to tuna processors for the American retail chain.

Marshall Islands intends to scale this opportunity through partnerships with the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and potentially other Pacific countries.