Pacific Tuna Forum 2015: Achieving Optimal Economic Benefits through Sustainable Tuna Management and Development

The biggest tuna industry gathering in the Western and Central Pacific region, the 5^th Pacific Tuna Forum is scheduled from 22-23 September 2015 at the luxurious Sofitel Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji.  More than 250 delegates are expected to be part of this prestigious Pacific tuna meeting with over 30 well known speakers scheduled to speak at the event.

Dr. Transform Aqorau, Executive Director of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), will kick start the conference proper by delivering the keynote addresses on the theme “Achieving Optimal Economic Benefits Through Sustainable Tuna Management and Development”.  Dr Transform says, “There has been a lot of development in the Western and Central Pacific with low tuna prices and increased catches in the high seas areas that have impacted the industry. The Pacific Tuna Forum 2015 offers an opportunity for governments, industry and other service providers to the industry to hear what each has to say about what is happening. There has been a greater focus on the PNA Purse Seine Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) and the transformative power of the VDS. We have also seen the resurgence of the WTPO which have coagulated around the low tuna price and have taken voluntary measures for their members to stay in port for 10 days, and a surge in interest in MSC and FAD free tuna from the supermarkets. All these developments will be discussed by practitioners. The Pacific Tuna Forum 2015 presents an excellent opportunity for all those interested in the largest tuna fisheries in the world to hear from vessel operators, traders, processors and regulators about what is happening globally in the tuna world.”

Among the distinguished speakers are Jacqueline Alder, FAO; Phil Roberts, Tri Marine Pte Ltd; Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr, WTPO; Inoke Wainiqolo, Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, Fiji; John Kasu, National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Papua New Guinea; Xue Jun Du, Golden Ocean Fish Ltd; Hugh Walton, Forum Fisheries Agency; Pedro Castillo Celso, RD Tuna Canners Ltd; Russell Dunham, Tri Marine International Pte Ltd; Wez Norris, Forum Fisheries Agency; Augusto Camba Natividad, Frabelle Fishing Corporation; Jan Tharp, Bumble Bee Foods Ltd; Henk Brus, Pacifical c.v.; Dario Chemerinski, Otis McAllister (USA), Brazil; Adel Fahmy, Gulf Food Industries; Duncan Leadbitter, The International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF); Gilles Hosch, FAO; Francisco Blaha; Maurice J Brownjohn, Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA); Marcelo Hidalgo; Bill Holden, Marine Stewardship Council Asia Pacific Pty. Ltd; Paolo Bray, Friend of the Sea; Eugene Lapointe, IWMC World Conservation Trust; Faustino Velasco, Satlink SL; Chris L Wilson, Digital Globe and many others.

There has been an overwhelming response from tuna industry players from not only within the region but from other parts of the world. Tuna industry players who are eyeing the Western and Central Pacific region to extend their business and looking forward to investment opportunities are invited to join us at PTF 2015. For details of the event and to register please visit: http://www.infofish.org/ptf2015/index.html