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The sustainability of fisheries is critical to the well being of Pacific Island nations.
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The Western and Central Pacific Ocean is home to over 20 island nations and the world's largest tuna fishery, with 60% of the world's tuna coming from the region.
However, scientific authorities within the region are beginning to express strong concerns regarding the sustainability of key stocks and have recommended a halt to any expansion in fishing activities.
In particular, they have warned that the Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna species are at the point of being over fished and that fishing levels of these species must be capped immediately.
If we do not curb the onslaught of industrial fishing in this region we will see the demise of fish stocks in the Pacific Ocean.
Since February 2004, Greenpeace has been working in the Pacific to raise awareness about the threats to the sustainability of the pacific tuna fishery.
Awareness-raising work has included the release of two reports: "Development Without Destruction: Towards Sustainable Pacific Fisheries" and "Pirates of the Pacific: Loopholes and solutions in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific" and a documentary titled "Empty Nets: Pacific Fisheries in Crisis".
From July to September 2004, the Rainbow Warrior toured the region and visited five Pacific Island countries to perform awareness-raising and to gather information from government, industry and communities about their perspective on the status of pacific fisheries.
We continue with this consultative approach to the campaign, and are seeking ways to engage citizens throughout the Pacific in protecting tuna stocks. For example, in Suva we have engaged volunteers to maintain a 'Port watch' for pirate fishing vessels.
Work is being done at the political level too. In December 2004, Greenpeace campaigners attended the first meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), gained observer status to the Commission and tabled an information paper that called on the Commission to address over-fishing and Pirate fishing.
As well, we submitted a petition to the Commission from 4300 people calling for strong measures to be taken to control pirate fishing and overfishing.
However, scientific authorities within the region are beginning to express strong concerns regarding the sustainability of key stocks and have recommended a halt to any expansion in fishing activities.
In particular, they have warned that the Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna species are at the point of being over fished and that fishing levels of these species must be capped immediately.
If we do not curb the onslaught of industrial fishing in this region we will see the demise of fish stocks in the Pacific Ocean.
Greenpeace working for change
Since February 2004, Greenpeace has been working in the Pacific to raise awareness about the threats to the sustainability of the pacific tuna fishery.
Awareness-raising work has included the release of two reports: "Development Without Destruction: Towards Sustainable Pacific Fisheries" and "Pirates of the Pacific: Loopholes and solutions in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Pacific" and a documentary titled "Empty Nets: Pacific Fisheries in Crisis".
From July to September 2004, the Rainbow Warrior toured the region and visited five Pacific Island countries to perform awareness-raising and to gather information from government, industry and communities about their perspective on the status of pacific fisheries.
We continue with this consultative approach to the campaign, and are seeking ways to engage citizens throughout the Pacific in protecting tuna stocks. For example, in Suva we have engaged volunteers to maintain a 'Port watch' for pirate fishing vessels.
Work is being done at the political level too. In December 2004, Greenpeace campaigners attended the first meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), gained observer status to the Commission and tabled an information paper that called on the Commission to address over-fishing and Pirate fishing.
As well, we submitted a petition to the Commission from 4300 people calling for strong measures to be taken to control pirate fishing and overfishing.
