Organizers

INFOFISH PACIFIC TUNA FORUM 2009

The INFOFISH s attracted more than 200 from 28 countries all over the world.  The forum which is the second INFOFISH Pacific Tuna Forum was officiated by the Honourable Minister of Fisheries, Mr Ben Semri. It was also addressed by Mr Sylvester Pokajam, Managing Director of National Fisheries Authority, PNG and Dr S Subasinghe, Director, INFOFISH. The event was jointly organized by INFOFISH, the National Fisheries Authority (PNG), Globefish – FAO, Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and the Papua New Guinea Fishing Industry Association (FIA). The two day event covered presentations from 33 specialist speakers from the government, industry, regional and international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.

In his opening speech the Minister requested that the industry to be mindful of the conservation and management needs and not to compromise the sustainability of the regions’ resources. He added that such industry gathering of the present nature is instrumental in charting the best modalities for sustainable fishing.
The event witnessed strong support from the industry where 23 companies joined the event through the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Associate Sponsorship programme.   The forum also hosted an exhibition which saw some 10 exhibitors promoting products and services.

In his keynote address to delegates of the forum, Mr Maurice Brownjohn OBE, who is the Chairman of the Fishing Industry Association, stressed that while the Pacific represented more than half of the  world’s supply of tuna, the issues of rights, participation and aspirations of small vulnerable developing economies, especially small island developing states [SIDS] have never been adequately addressed. He added however that “We are witnessing winds of change; at least the small Pacific Island nations are acting responsibly to ensure tuna are sustainably harvested, conserved and managed for the benefit of the region and its’ peoples.”

INFOFISH PACIFIC TUNA FORUM 2009 - Picture Galery