look at that amazing leatherback turtle I encountered that turtle on a beach in
I encountered that turtle on a beach in
I encountered that turtle on a beach in a remote part of the Solomon Islands
a remote part of the Solomon Islands
a remote part of the Solomon Islands earlier this year this kind of turtle
earlier this year this kind of turtle
earlier this year this kind of turtle can grow to 900 kilos in size and
can grow to 900 kilos in size and
can grow to 900 kilos in size and they’ll always return back to the same
they’ll always return back to the same
they’ll always return back to the same beach to lay their eggs throughout the
beach to lay their eggs throughout the
beach to lay their eggs throughout the year Turtles like this will swim great
year Turtles like this will swim great
year Turtles like this will swim great distances between many islands in the
distances between many islands in the
distances between many islands in the Pacific and while they’re swimming
Pacific and while they’re swimming
Pacific and while they’re swimming between those Islands they’re vulnerable
between those Islands they’re vulnerable
between those Islands they’re vulnerable to getting caught in fishing nets and as
to getting caught in fishing nets and as
to getting caught in fishing nets and as a fishery manager I’ve seen firsthand
a fishery manager I’ve seen firsthand
a fishery manager I’ve seen firsthand the impacts from illegal fishing
the impacts from illegal fishing
the impacts from illegal fishing overfishing and bycatch now that can be
overfishing and bycatch now that can be
overfishing and bycatch now that can be devastating but today I’m here to talk
devastating but today I’m here to talk
devastating but today I’m here to talk to you about what happens when nations
to you about what happens when nations
to you about what happens when nations work together how we can ensure that
work together how we can ensure that
work together how we can ensure that there is still plenty of marine life and
there is still plenty of marine life and
there is still plenty of marine life and fish in the sea for generations to come
fish in the sea for generations to come
fish in the sea for generations to come now achieving sustainability is
now achieving sustainability is
now achieving sustainability is something we aim for in many areas of
something we aim for in many areas of
something we aim for in many areas of life
life
life we strive for a balance between what we
we strive for a balance between what we
we strive for a balance between what we all value as a society and economic
all value as a society and economic
all value as a society and economic development and the environment that
development and the environment that
development and the environment that sustains us now with fishing that
sustains us now with fishing that
sustains us now with fishing that concept might seem simple we don’t want
concept might seem simple we don’t want
concept might seem simple we don’t want to catch too many fish now so there’s
to catch too many fish now so there’s
to catch too many fish now so there’s still plenty of fish available in the
still plenty of fish available in the
still plenty of fish available in the future but it is very complicated
future but it is very complicated
future but it is very complicated because there are so many different
because there are so many different
because there are so many different people perspectives and different
people perspectives and different
people perspectives and different interests for example on the one hand we
interests for example on the one hand we
interests for example on the one hand we have large-scale commercial fishing
have large-scale commercial fishing
have large-scale commercial fishing boats like these ones this boat will
boats like these ones this boat will
boats like these ones this boat will travel between many different islands in
travel between many different islands in
travel between many different islands in the Pacific region and in a single trip
the Pacific region and in a single trip
the Pacific region and in a single trip that boat can catch up to a thousand
that boat can catch up to a thousand
that boat can catch up to a thousand tons of fish but that boat is licensed
tons of fish but that boat is licensed
tons of fish but that boat is licensed to fish and it does pay access fees to
to fish and it does pay access fees to
to fish and it does pay access fees to the Pacific island states then on the
the Pacific island states then on the
the Pacific island states then on the other hand you have small-scale Fisher’s
other hand you have small-scale Fisher’s
other hand you have small-scale Fisher’s the traditional fishers who go out with
the traditional fishers who go out with
the traditional fishers who go out with their nets to catch fish to support and
their nets to catch fish to support and
their nets to catch fish to support and feed their
feed their
feed their families balancing all of these
families balancing all of these
families balancing all of these considerations is what fisheries
considerations is what fisheries
considerations is what fisheries management is all about
management is all about
management is all about however you look at it though the
however you look at it though the
however you look at it though the fisheries in the Pacific are critical
fisheries in the Pacific are critical
fisheries in the Pacific are critical for their future it provides revenue it
for their future it provides revenue it
for their future it provides revenue it provides jobs and it provides food for
provides jobs and it provides food for
provides jobs and it provides food for the Pacific island states all right so
the Pacific island states all right so
the Pacific island states all right so let’s take a moment who are we talking
let’s take a moment who are we talking
let’s take a moment who are we talking about in the Pacific Islands we’re
about in the Pacific Islands we’re
about in the Pacific Islands we’re talking about islands that are spread
talking about islands that are spread
talking about islands that are spread across a vast area from the east coast
across a vast area from the east coast
across a vast area from the east coast of Australia up north towards PNG Palau
of Australia up north towards PNG Palau
of Australia up north towards PNG Palau and across to the Cook Islands some of
and across to the Cook Islands some of
and across to the Cook Islands some of these countries are so small that you
these countries are so small that you
these countries are so small that you can’t even see their landmass on this
can’t even see their landmass on this
can’t even see their landmass on this map but what you can see are the area
map but what you can see are the area
map but what you can see are the area shaded in brown and in blue which is
shaded in brown and in blue which is
shaded in brown and in blue which is their area of waters that surrounds them
their area of waters that surrounds them
their area of waters that surrounds them it’s their exclusive economic zone which
it’s their exclusive economic zone which
it’s their exclusive economic zone which stretches out 200 nautical miles from
stretches out 200 nautical miles from
stretches out 200 nautical miles from their islands and they have the
their islands and they have the
their islands and they have the exclusive right to the fish and the
exclusive right to the fish and the
exclusive right to the fish and the resources in those waters so it’s
resources in those waters so it’s
resources in those waters so it’s absolutely critical that the fisheries
absolutely critical that the fisheries
absolutely critical that the fisheries management is sustainable now the key
management is sustainable now the key
management is sustainable now the key elements for the achieving
elements for the achieving
elements for the achieving sustainability and fisheries management
sustainability and fisheries management
sustainability and fisheries management are having effective data and monitoring
are having effective data and monitoring
are having effective data and monitoring controls so that you know what’s being
controls so that you know what’s being
controls so that you know what’s being caught and how much is being caught it’s
caught and how much is being caught it’s
caught and how much is being caught it’s also critical to have effective
also critical to have effective
also critical to have effective management regional management that
management regional management that
management regional management that applies across those whole areas and
applies across those whole areas and
applies across those whole areas and finally thirdly for sustainable
finally thirdly for sustainable
finally thirdly for sustainable management you need to have effective
management you need to have effective
management you need to have effective surveillance and monitoring so that you
surveillance and monitoring so that you
surveillance and monitoring so that you can identify illegal fishing boats and
can identify illegal fishing boats and
can identify illegal fishing boats and apprehend them but let’s start with the
apprehend them but let’s start with the
apprehend them but let’s start with the data so the four key species of tuna
data so the four key species of tuna
data so the four key species of tuna that occur in the Pacific Islands
that occur in the Pacific Islands
that occur in the Pacific Islands yellowfin tuna
yellowfin tuna
yellowfin tuna skipjack albacore and bigeye together
skipjack albacore and bigeye together
skipjack albacore and bigeye together the combined catch of these four species
the combined catch of these four species
the combined catch of these four species reaches a staggering two and a half
reaches a staggering two and a half
reaches a staggering two and a half million metric tons every year and you
million metric tons every year and you
million metric tons every year and you can see it’s been increasing steadily
can see it’s been increasing steadily
can see it’s been increasing steadily since over the last 50 years and in blue
since over the last 50 years and in blue
since over the last 50 years and in blue in the center you can see the component
in the center you can see the component
in the center you can see the component made up by skipjack tuna the most
made up by skipjack tuna the most
made up by skipjack tuna the most abundant of those species many of you
abundant of those species many of you
abundant of those species many of you would recognize skipped
would recognize skipped
would recognize skipped it’s what you get in your supermarkets
it’s what you get in your supermarkets
it’s what you get in your supermarkets in at inner tuna
in at inner tuna
in at inner tuna it’s an enormous source of protein for
it’s an enormous source of protein for
it’s an enormous source of protein for the whole world and you can buy these
the whole world and you can buy these
the whole world and you can buy these tins of tunas in just about every
tins of tunas in just about every
tins of tunas in just about every country around the world but with these
country around the world but with these
country around the world but with these tuna species there’s many elements to
tuna species there’s many elements to
tuna species there’s many elements to consider we need to ensure that we get
consider we need to ensure that we get
consider we need to ensure that we get all the fundamental management right so
all the fundamental management right so
all the fundamental management right so that the Pacific Islands can have the
that the Pacific Islands can have the
that the Pacific Islands can have the control of their resources and make sure
control of their resources and make sure
control of their resources and make sure that they protect them and eliminate any
that they protect them and eliminate any
that they protect them and eliminate any illegal fishing so the Pacific Islands
illegal fishing so the Pacific Islands
illegal fishing so the Pacific Islands have been taking a strong stand against
have been taking a strong stand against
have been taking a strong stand against illegal fishing illegal fishing is when
illegal fishing illegal fishing is when
illegal fishing illegal fishing is when boats fish without a license or it can
boats fish without a license or it can
boats fish without a license or it can be when they fish and break the rules so
be when they fish and break the rules so
be when they fish and break the rules so in the top left you can see a boat that
in the top left you can see a boat that
in the top left you can see a boat that has a license that’s being boarded to
has a license that’s being boarded to
has a license that’s being boarded to see if it’s following the rules as its
see if it’s following the rules as its
see if it’s following the rules as its fishing for tuna and on the bottom left
fishing for tuna and on the bottom left
fishing for tuna and on the bottom left you can see some of the smaller scale
you can see some of the smaller scale
you can see some of the smaller scale boats which have been illegally fishing
boats which have been illegally fishing
boats which have been illegally fishing for sea cucumbers baster mayor and giant
for sea cucumbers baster mayor and giant
for sea cucumbers baster mayor and giant clams like the ones you see on the right
clams like the ones you see on the right
clams like the ones you see on the right these giant clams can live for a hundred
these giant clams can live for a hundred
these giant clams can live for a hundred years and they were apprehended on a
years and they were apprehended on a
years and they were apprehended on a boat that was fishing illegally within
boat that was fishing illegally within
boat that was fishing illegally within Australian waters not so long ago so as
Australian waters not so long ago so as
Australian waters not so long ago so as you can see it’s absolutely critical
you can see it’s absolutely critical
you can see it’s absolutely critical that these boats are apprehended and
that these boats are apprehended and
that these boats are apprehended and also that we ensure that they follow the
also that we ensure that they follow the
also that we ensure that they follow the rules and the key to that is
rules and the key to that is
rules and the key to that is international cooperation where I work
international cooperation where I work
international cooperation where I work at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries
at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries
at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries agency we run a regional surveillance
agency we run a regional surveillance
agency we run a regional surveillance center and the regional surveillance
center and the regional surveillance
center and the regional surveillance centre includes staff and people from
centre includes staff and people from
centre includes staff and people from all our member countries in the Pacific
all our member countries in the Pacific
all our member countries in the Pacific region includes naval officers military
region includes naval officers military
region includes naval officers military personnel and Fisheries officers these
personnel and Fisheries officers these
personnel and Fisheries officers these are the people that are monitoring and
are the people that are monitoring and
are the people that are monitoring and tracking illegal fishing boats in the
tracking illegal fishing boats in the
tracking illegal fishing boats in the Pacific now every single boat that
Pacific now every single boat that
Pacific now every single boat that fishes in the Pacific for tuna has to
fishes in the Pacific for tuna has to
fishes in the Pacific for tuna has to have a satellite tracking device on the
have a satellite tracking device on the
have a satellite tracking device on the board and those satellite trackers
board and those satellite trackers
board and those satellite trackers transmit their location to our
transmit their location to our
transmit their location to our surveillance centre and so that’s what
surveillance centre and so that’s what
surveillance centre and so that’s what we can see on the screen and monitor to
we can see on the screen and monitor to
we can see on the screen and monitor to make sure they’re fishing with the
make sure they’re fishing with the
make sure they’re fishing with the appropriate licenses and they’re not
appropriate licenses and they’re not
appropriate licenses and they’re not fishing in areas they’re not allowed to
fishing in areas they’re not allowed to
fishing in areas they’re not allowed to be and this is what that looks like when
be and this is what that looks like when
be and this is what that looks like when we’re watching them on the screen
we’re watching them on the screen
we’re watching them on the screen all of those dots represent a boat
all of those dots represent a boat
all of those dots represent a boat that’s fishing for tuna in the Pacific
that’s fishing for tuna in the Pacific
that’s fishing for tuna in the Pacific Ocean
Ocean
Ocean moving around great distances for every
moving around great distances for every
moving around great distances for every boat we have a file that includes
boat we have a file that includes
boat we have a file that includes licensing details and any intelligence
licensing details and any intelligence
licensing details and any intelligence that the countries and people have
that the countries and people have
that the countries and people have gathered that allows them to prioritize
gathered that allows them to prioritize
gathered that allows them to prioritize the status of the boats to work out
the status of the boats to work out
the status of the boats to work out whether they’re fishing illegally or not
whether they’re fishing illegally or not
whether they’re fishing illegally or not all the boats marked in red are
all the boats marked in red are
all the boats marked in red are suspected of illegally fishing or have
suspected of illegally fishing or have
suspected of illegally fishing or have fished illegally in the past whereas all
fished illegally in the past whereas all
fished illegally in the past whereas all the boats in green are considered in
the boats in green are considered in
the boats in green are considered in good standing but not all the illegal
good standing but not all the illegal
good standing but not all the illegal fishing boats are going to voluntarily
fishing boats are going to voluntarily
fishing boats are going to voluntarily show us where they’re fishing so the key
show us where they’re fishing so the key
show us where they’re fishing so the key is also having effective surveillance
is also having effective surveillance
is also having effective surveillance using patrol boats and airplanes and
using patrol boats and airplanes and
using patrol boats and airplanes and also satellites even so the information
also satellites even so the information
also satellites even so the information that’s detected from these surveillance
that’s detected from these surveillance
that’s detected from these surveillance aircraft gets transmitted to the
aircraft gets transmitted to the
aircraft gets transmitted to the operations center where I work in the
operations center where I work in the
operations center where I work in the Solomon Islands we then handle that
Solomon Islands we then handle that
Solomon Islands we then handle that information and send that out to the
information and send that out to the
information and send that out to the member countries and then it’s up to the
member countries and then it’s up to the
member countries and then it’s up to the national governments to take action to
national governments to take action to
national governments to take action to send out boats to apprehend and
send out boats to apprehend and
send out boats to apprehend and prosecute any illegal fishermen so
prosecute any illegal fishermen so
prosecute any illegal fishermen so that’s how we’re handing the illegal
that’s how we’re handing the illegal
that’s how we’re handing the illegal fishing but there are still many
fishing but there are still many
fishing but there are still many challenges with the boats several
challenges with the boats several
challenges with the boats several thousand vessels fishing for tuna in the
thousand vessels fishing for tuna in the
thousand vessels fishing for tuna in the Pacific Ocean that have a licence for
Pacific Ocean that have a licence for
Pacific Ocean that have a licence for those vessels it’s critical that we get
those vessels it’s critical that we get
those vessels it’s critical that we get the management right between all 37
the management right between all 37
the management right between all 37 countries and we need collaboration
countries and we need collaboration
countries and we need collaboration between those countries that are fishing
between those countries that are fishing
between those countries that are fishing for tuna in the Pacific now that kind of
for tuna in the Pacific now that kind of
for tuna in the Pacific now that kind of collaboration is not easy it takes a lot
collaboration is not easy it takes a lot
collaboration is not easy it takes a lot of time and it requires a lot of
of time and it requires a lot of
of time and it requires a lot of patience to get the management rules in
patience to get the management rules in
patience to get the management rules in but the Pacific island states remember
but the Pacific island states remember
but the Pacific island states remember they owned the resources in their water
they owned the resources in their water
they owned the resources in their water and so they are taking strong action to
and so they are taking strong action to
and so they are taking strong action to ensure that effective management
ensure that effective management
ensure that effective management measures are in place and one of the
measures are in place and one of the
measures are in place and one of the best examples of that is the skipjack
best examples of that is the skipjack
best examples of that is the skipjack tuna fishery so this fishery includes
tuna fishery so this fishery includes
tuna fishery so this fishery includes some of the largest boats several
some of the largest boats several
some of the largest boats several hundred of them which fish across the
hundred of them which fish across the
hundred of them which fish across the Pacific and they encircle large schools
Pacific and they encircle large schools
Pacific and they encircle large schools of skipjack tuna within their nets
of skipjack tuna within their nets
of skipjack tuna within their nets so the Pacific Islands management
so the Pacific Islands management
so the Pacific Islands management measures working together they have
measures working together they have
measures working together they have capped
capped
capped the amount of fishing effort that can
the amount of fishing effort that can
the amount of fishing effort that can occur in this fishery then a share of
occur in this fishery then a share of
occur in this fishery then a share of that total sustainable cap is in
that total sustainable cap is in
that total sustainable cap is in allocated to each country they own that
allocated to each country they own that
allocated to each country they own that share they then sell that share that
share they then sell that share that
share they then sell that share that they own on to fishing companies and
they own on to fishing companies and
they own on to fishing companies and businesses that are gaining access to
businesses that are gaining access to
businesses that are gaining access to their waters that model ensures that
their waters that model ensures that
their waters that model ensures that they can’t fish more than the
they can’t fish more than the
they can’t fish more than the sustainable limit for skipjack tuna so
sustainable limit for skipjack tuna so
sustainable limit for skipjack tuna so in cases like this the management is
in cases like this the management is
in cases like this the management is working really well
working really well
working really well we are not catching too many skipjack
we are not catching too many skipjack
we are not catching too many skipjack tuna but there are still many challenges
tuna but there are still many challenges
tuna but there are still many challenges for example with bigeye tuna the in
for example with bigeye tuna the in
for example with bigeye tuna the in methods like this they are still
methods like this they are still
methods like this they are still catching too many small fish and that
catching too many small fish and that
catching too many small fish and that species of tuna is over fished there are
species of tuna is over fished there are
species of tuna is over fished there are also still challenges with bycatch so
also still challenges with bycatch so
also still challenges with bycatch so when you encircle a large school of fish
when you encircle a large school of fish
when you encircle a large school of fish in that net you might also catch other
in that net you might also catch other
in that net you might also catch other species and that could be things like
species and that could be things like
species and that could be things like Turtles or dolphins but there are rules
Turtles or dolphins but there are rules
Turtles or dolphins but there are rules in place to protect the bycatch and
in place to protect the bycatch and
in place to protect the bycatch and detective marine wildlife as well when
detective marine wildlife as well when
detective marine wildlife as well when they set the net there are rules on how
they set the net there are rules on how
they set the net there are rules on how they set to avoid by a catch there are
they set to avoid by a catch there are
they set to avoid by a catch there are also rules in place on what happens when
also rules in place on what happens when
also rules in place on what happens when they capture marine mammals like
they capture marine mammals like
they capture marine mammals like dolphins or Turtles to make sure they
dolphins or Turtles to make sure they
dolphins or Turtles to make sure they can be safely released and they can be
can be safely released and they can be
can be safely released and they can be if they fishing industry is responsible
if they fishing industry is responsible
if they fishing industry is responsible and releases them so one of the key
and releases them so one of the key
and releases them so one of the key elements though is to ensure you have
elements though is to ensure you have
elements though is to ensure you have confidence in the data so that we know
confidence in the data so that we know
confidence in the data so that we know what’s happening on board these boats
what’s happening on board these boats
what’s happening on board these boats and to do that there are over 800
and to do that there are over 800
and to do that there are over 800 fisheries observers employed in the
fisheries observers employed in the
fisheries observers employed in the Pacific region and they monitor all the
Pacific region and they monitor all the
Pacific region and they monitor all the catch to check that it’s being reported
catch to check that it’s being reported
catch to check that it’s being reported correctly and that we know what’s going
correctly and that we know what’s going
correctly and that we know what’s going on in these boats to also enhance the
on in these boats to also enhance the
on in these boats to also enhance the management and surveillance in in on
management and surveillance in in on
management and surveillance in in on these boats
these boats
these boats we’re also trialing camera systems that
we’re also trialing camera systems that
we’re also trialing camera systems that can also verify what’s caught and and
can also verify what’s caught and and
can also verify what’s caught and and check that it’s being reported correctly
check that it’s being reported correctly
check that it’s being reported correctly so the surveillance these observers
so the surveillance these observers
so the surveillance these observers includes every trip on a per same boat
includes every trip on a per same boat
includes every trip on a per same boat and on other methods not as much but
and on other methods not as much but
and on other methods not as much but we’re looking to enhance that
we’re looking to enhance that
we’re looking to enhance that independent monitoring so as you can see
independent monitoring so as you can see
independent monitoring so as you can see the Pacific nations working together are
the Pacific nations working together are
the Pacific nations working together are achieving an enormous amount
achieving an enormous amount
achieving an enormous amount but they also need your help as
but they also need your help as
but they also need your help as consumers you have enormous power to
consumers you have enormous power to
consumers you have enormous power to shape how industries grow and shape how
shape how industries grow and shape how
shape how industries grow and shape how industries develop you can make a choice
industries develop you can make a choice
industries develop you can make a choice when you go to the shops or the fish
when you go to the shops or the fish
when you go to the shops or the fish market you can choose to buy sustainable
market you can choose to buy sustainable
market you can choose to buy sustainable seafood products and there are many ways
seafood products and there are many ways
seafood products and there are many ways you can find out what is a sustainable
you can find out what is a sustainable
you can find out what is a sustainable seafood product you can look for
seafood product you can look for
seafood product you can look for eco-labels something like the Marine
eco-labels something like the Marine
eco-labels something like the Marine Stewardship Council x’ blue tick of
Stewardship Council x’ blue tick of
Stewardship Council x’ blue tick of approval or you can look up sustainable
approval or you can look up sustainable
approval or you can look up sustainable seafood guides on the internet there’s
seafood guides on the internet there’s
seafood guides on the internet there’s plenty there and the other thing you can
plenty there and the other thing you can
plenty there and the other thing you can do is look for local based seafood in
do is look for local based seafood in
do is look for local based seafood in Australia Australian fisheries are
Australia Australian fisheries are
Australia Australian fisheries are amongst the best managed in the world
amongst the best managed in the world
amongst the best managed in the world because we have high standards and we
because we have high standards and we
because we have high standards and we have good procedures in place to verify
have good procedures in place to verify
have good procedures in place to verify that the fishing industry is fishing
that the fishing industry is fishing
that the fishing industry is fishing responsibilities responsibly and in
responsibilities responsibly and in
responsibilities responsibly and in accordance with those standards but
accordance with those standards but
accordance with those standards but there’s something else you can do you
there’s something else you can do you
there’s something else you can do you can take a holiday in the Pacific
can take a holiday in the Pacific
can take a holiday in the Pacific Islands go exploring go to somewhere you
Islands go exploring go to somewhere you
Islands go exploring go to somewhere you haven’t been to before Kiera bus or go
haven’t been to before Kiera bus or go
haven’t been to before Kiera bus or go to Samoa Tonga or up to Micronesia these
to Samoa Tonga or up to Micronesia these
to Samoa Tonga or up to Micronesia these countries have amazing marine life so if
countries have amazing marine life so if
countries have amazing marine life so if you’re going there to spend time on the
you’re going there to spend time on the
you’re going there to spend time on the beach or to go snorkeling with some of
beach or to go snorkeling with some of
beach or to go snorkeling with some of this marine life you can experience it
this marine life you can experience it
this marine life you can experience it and you can create value for those
and you can create value for those
and you can create value for those environmental resources and you also
environmental resources and you also
environmental resources and you also create value for their conservation
create value for their conservation
create value for their conservation efforts so all of this matters so that
efforts so all of this matters so that
efforts so all of this matters so that we can get the balance right we are
we can get the balance right we are
we can get the balance right we are managing this fishery for everyone so
managing this fishery for everyone so
managing this fishery for everyone so that we can have food and opportunities
that we can have food and opportunities
that we can have food and opportunities in the Pacific Islands and critically so
in the Pacific Islands and critically so
in the Pacific Islands and critically so that we can ensure there are still
that we can ensure there are still
that we can ensure there are still plenty of fish and turtles left in the
plenty of fish and turtles left in the
plenty of fish and turtles left in the sea thank you
sea thank you
sea thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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