The future role of Tuna in Meeting
Pacific Food Security Needs
Samasoni Sauni
Talk Outline
Overview
Why tuna matters to food security (food,
health and money)
Strategic interventions
Conclusion
Overview
• Pacific States EEZ ca. 30,569,000 km2
of WCPO; Pacific States landmass ca.
552, 789 km2
• Disproportion of ca. 2% of land to
EEZs suggests food security should
never be an issue for Pacific States
• fish consumption in local communities
• Pacific States “fisheries waters” offers
probably higher than other in the world
many opportunities incl. fish resources
• close to 20,000 regional jobs in 2013that
– support food security in local
covering crewing, processing, govt. communities
personnel and observers
• ca. USD323 million in access fees
• expenditure by locally based vessels
Overview - strengths
Source: FFA Economic Indicators Report, 2014
Overview - Opportunities
Source: FFA Economic Indicators Report, 2014
Why does it matter?
(i) Dependence on fish as food
 The region is 98.5%
water;
 High per capita fish
consumption;
 Very high participation in
subsistence fishing;
 Reliance mainly on
coastal fisheries;
 Coastal resources
threatened – deficits
emerging.
(ii) Benefits of Fish in the Diet
 9 out of 10 countries with the highest rates of
overweight and obesity, and seven of the 10 countries
with the highest rates of diabetes, are Pacific Island
nations.
 Seafood is rich in protein, essential fatty acids,
vitamins and minerals
 Important in combating the high and rising prevalence
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart
disease and diabetes, and the incidence of obesity
Concerns of Fish in the Diet
Health and wealth benefits or
concerns –competition? trade-off?
Possible tension
(exporting vs. direct
food security)
Stocks
sustainability
How Much Tuna is Needed
Tuna will need to provide 12% (32,000mt) of
the fish required by PICTs by 2020.
This will increase to 25% (87,500mt) by 2035
The greatest quantities will be required in
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and
Kiribati.
Source: Bell et al. 2015. Diversifying the use of tuna to improve food
security and public health in PICTs. Marine Policy, 51 (584-591)
Increasing access to fish
Low-cost inshore
Fish Aggregating Devices
Increasing access to fish
Managing the supply of tuna and by-catch from
industrial fleets to urban areas
For countries with canneries appropriate duty on canned tuna
ENSURING FOOD SECURITY & REVENUES
FROM THE TUNA INDUSTRY also means managing
complex systems, processes and challenges at
different points of the supply-value chain
Conclusion
- the big picture!
 High dependence of PI States particularly vulnerable island economies on fisheries
resources for revenue and food security cannot be understated
 Any serious threat to the sustainability of fish resource can be viewed as a threat
to their economic viability and food security
 Requires effective balancing efforts on sustainable development, management
and conservation of fisheries and fish resources and their ecosystems
 20% of people in most PI States live in hardship, meaning they are unable to meet
their basic food and non-food needs.
 Tuna fisheries contribute significantly to revenue streams into vulnerable island
economies, incl. those employed in this sector throughout the value chain
 Support small scale fisheries operations, and domestic basing of commercial
fisheries if circumstances allow
 Accessible to food fishes including tuna and semi-pelagic species provides
comfort to local populations
 Threat of NCDs in PI States is as acute as it is anywhere else. Need to steer
away from unhealthy diets that include cheap imported meat offcuts e.g.
turkey tails, lamp flaps, etc.
 Encourage consumption of tuna and other fish related products and not
imported cheap meat
 Much need revenue from tuna fisheries help Pacific Island governments
manage growing epidemic of NCDS amongst local communities
 More broadly food security in the context of tuna in Pacific States also
means:
 Sustainable fish stocks
 Maximum economic benefits and social livelihoods
 Strict controls and high level of compliance
 Well resourced and enforceable MCS tools to eliminate IUU activities
Tangio tu
mas!