Tuna is important to national economy, says Minister Giro

Honiara, May 2, 2023: The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon Nestor Giro said tuna resources is the second highest contributor to the national treasury after the Ministry of Finance’s Inland Revenue Division and Customs.

He revealed this in his speech to mark the World Tuna Day which falls today May 2 and is celebrated right across the globe.

Hon Giro said the country has generated over $300 million from tuna resources in recent years, making it an important source of revenue for the country.

Reflecting on this year’s World Tuna Day theme “Our Future Our Tuna,” Hon Giro said Solomon Islands must continue to manage its tuna stocks which is essential to the future of the industry.

To do that MFMR must continue to work together with all FFA countries and other regional organizations such as SPC, PNA, FFA and WCPFC to manage the tuna stocks. Our regional efforts to manage the tuna resources ensures tuna remains a significant economic contributor to our countries now and into the future.

 “Tuna is a vital resource for the Solomon Islands, and the government is committed to ensuring the sustainable management of this valuable resource,” the fisheries minister said.

The World Tuna Day celebrations were an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the tuna industry to the country’s economy and to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable management practices for the future of the industry.

 The Ministry of Fisheries also organised an hour radio talk show where three panellists, Permanent Secretary Dr Christain Ramofafia, Solomon Islands National University Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau and Tuna Industry Association of Solomon Islands (TIASI) Chairman Mr Frank Wickham attended and participated in.  The three panellists spoke on the importance of Tuna and also the risks tuna industry is facing as a result of the climate change and possibility come 2050 tuna species might migrate from the west to eastern part of the pacific region.