The 45th Annual Meeting of the Officials of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), a weeklong meeting covering items relating to PNA and PNA subsidiary arrangements, concluded on March 13, 2026, at the PNA Headquarters in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Delegates from the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu took part in the event.
Overview
Officials welcomed advice that key tuna stocks were healthy, purse seine catches were back to normal in 2025 after a large increase in 2024, PNA longline catches were stable, the Office’s finances were sound, the PNA Observer Agency had a record year for observer activity in 2024, the Vessel Day Schemes continued to be effectively implemented by the Office and Parties and VDS revenue was being maintained. Officials were also informed that there was good progress in enhancing regional tuna management arrangements in the region in PNA interests under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. However, there were risks ahead as a result of disruption to international trade in tuna products from the war in the Middle East.
Strengthening Domestic Development
A key focus of the meetings was strengthening the FSM Arrangement (FSMA) which provides for preferential access to PNA Exclusive Economic Zones for domestic fleets. Substantial progress was made in strengthening the Arrangement. to increase the leverage on commercial partners to invest in PNA domestic development. This work is an important element for advancing the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) to maximize the economic benefits that Pacific Island countries derive from their tuna resources by bringing more of the tuna value chain into the region, rather than seeing most economic gains from Pacific Island tuna resources and fisheries captured offshore.
Officials also reviewed progress on a range of other PNA and national initiatives to foster domestic tuna fisheries development and contribute to implementation of the ENBi..
Vessel Day Scheme
Parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustainability by adopting the 2027 Total Allowable Effort (TAE) for purse seine (PS) fisheries and approving the allocation of the 2027 Party Allowable Efforts (PAEs). The 2025-2027 TAE and PAEs for longline (LL) fisheries that were agreed to in 2024, were also endorsed. Importantly, at the 31st Palau Arrangement meeting, Parties agreed to tighten the registration of longline vessels in the VDS Register.
Compliance
Officials adopted several proposals from the PNA Compliance Committee to strengthen PNA compliance processes and capacities, including finalizing key provisions of the PNA Compliance Regime Text and confirming that the PNA Compliance Case Register is fully operational.
Science
Officials also adopted proposals from the PNA Science Committee to improve scientific knowledge around PNA tuna resources and build PNA scientific capacities. This included supporting proposals for PNA scientific work on FAD beaching and cetacean bycatch.
PNA Observer Agency
Officials expressed appreciation for another strong performance in 2025, having implemented observer placements, training, and debriefing programs for both FSM Arrangement and US Treaty vessels. They also recognized the contributions of the announced winners of the 2025 Best Observer Award, with expanded appreciation through the Golden Caliper Award and a new “Above and Beyond” award to honor exceptional contributions.
PNA Office
Parties acknowledged the PNA Office for another strong year in 2025, commending the Office’s financial stability, strengthened compliance functions, its commitment to advancing the Capacity Development Program to build expertise among the members, and continuing to effectively administer the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS).
The meeting closed on a strong note, with constructive dialogue, practical decisions, and a unified commitment from PNA members to advance sustainable tuna management and development. The next PNA Annual Official’s Meeting will be held on 8 – 12 March 2027 in Nauru.
