Director for INFOFISH Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy at the closing of the recent 8th Pacific Tuna Forum, highlighted in her closing remarks that the 8th Pacific Tuna Forum held over the two days from 6th -7th September was the largest gathering of delegations since the first Pacific Tuna Forum in 2007.
She congratulated National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the Director Justine Ilakini for a successful hosting of the forum; and she further extended her congratulations to Fisheries Minister Jelta Wong and all delegates, sponsors and everyone who was part of the Forum.
Ms. Anthonysamy stated the Asia Pacific Region is a region that produces over 50% of the Worlds Tuna production.
“For such a region, we really need to shout louder about what we are and what we are producing.”
She stated that the world out there does not know much and even many from the region are not aware of this forum even after the 8th edition of the forum since 2007.
“We need to work together to talk louder so that we are heard better and promote more about the region and about the fisheries and about the tuna industry.”
“Basically cooperating, because Tuna is more often underrated and undervalued, so we need to corporate and bring Tuna to the next level.”
INFOFISH is an Intergovernmental Organization set up by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to provide marketing information and technical advisory services for the fishery products in the Asia Pacific Region and beyond.
The 8th Pacific Tuna Forum was made possible through the partnership of INFOFISH and the NFA.