In less than two months the largest tuna industry gathering in the Western and Central Pacific region, the 4th Pacific Tuna Forum, will convene in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 18-19 September, 2013. Response from tuna industry players are encouraging and registrations are pouring in not only from the region but also from the US, Europe and Asia. Over 30 well known speakers/topics are scheduled for the event.

Since the last meet in 2011, significant developments have taken place in this region which accounts for more than 50% of the global tuna catches. There has been greater attention on development related to issues of the EU-EPA, the MSC certification of PNA’s free school skipjack, foreign fishing fees and rights, FAD ban, skyrocketing skipjack price, while foreign investment continues to spill in.

A special highlight of the event will be two keynote addresses that will be delivered by key industry players in the region, Phil Roberts, Managing Director of Tri Marine International, Singapore and Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, President of Frabelle Fishing Corp, the Philippines. PTF 2013 deliberations will focus on resources and supply situation as well investment opportunities in the Pacific, global and regional markets, market access, eco-labelling schemes and technological development. The latest programme and speakers’ line-up are available from http://www.infofish.org/ptf2013/Programme.html.

The Pacific Tuna Forum is unique in that it provides a focused opportunity for those of us in the tuna industry, and particularly the Asia-Pacific based industry, to meet within the region - home to the world’s largest tuna resources and tuna processors, and the world’s most dynamic tuna fishery”, Phil Roberts, Managing Director of Tri Marine International, Singapore said. Tri Marine is the main player in the region for many years and he added “There has never been a time when the industry was not challenged, facing changes, and so it is today. The sustainable management of the fishery, development aspirations of Pacific Island States, evolving global trade regimes and the need to deliver to the consumer the sustainably harvested products they increasingly demand, are just some of the topics that will hold the attention of delegates to the Forum,the event is not to be missed.”