Ocean Management

Having had nation-wide consultations in 2018 and 2019, the Tonga Ocean 7 team had hoped to finalise the plan in 2020.

But COVID-19 forced the delay as the Tongan government focused on keeping the kingdom free of the virus.

Environment Chief Executive Officer Paula Ma’u said the delay had given the team more time to review the plan and ensure everything was in place before it was submitted to cabinet.

Next week, the United Nations Oceans' Conference is being held in New York, co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden, with a specific focus on Sustainable Development Goal 14 - namely to conserve and sustainably manage the use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Hugh Govan is an advisor with the Locally Managed Marine Area network and had worked with Pacific coastal communities for many years.

He said these communities had lived in harmony with the ocean for thousands of years and they need to be listened to.

It has called a three-day National Oceans Summit which aims to involve everyone from leaders to students in talks, exhibitions and activities related to the development of a sustainable oceans policy for the nation.

The Authority director Glen Joseph said the Marshalls had bits and pieces of a policy, but it needed a holistic national approach.

Correspondent Giff Johnson said the Authority had made previous attempts to develop sustainable fisheries management plans with the outer islands but the summit was an attempt at greater buy-in.