Tonga has started lobbying for support for the nomination of Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen as the new Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
Dr Tupou-Roosen is currently the FFA’s legal adviser.
She has been nominated to the top post by the Kingdom.
The Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Fisheries Department Dr Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi confirmed this at a media briefing with Pacific journalists at the Philippines International Convention Centre, Tuesday.
“Government had supported her nomination last year and they had given us their letter stating that which we submitted with our nomination.
“At the same time we have started lobbying with our FFA members, even here at the current meeting, said Dr Halafihi.
He is Manila this week with a Tonga delegation attending the 14th Regular Session of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
He said they have started talking to countries like Fiji and Samoa which, like Tonga, are not members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), with the hope that they will back the nomination.
“We are working with the FFA members, especially the non PNA members, because we believe there should be a rotation between the PNA and non-PNA members,” he said.
Dr Tupou-Roosen has been instrumental in helping the FFA draft different legislations and regulations governing the management of fisheries within the region.
The successful nominee will replace current Director General Marshallese James Movick at the end of next year.
Election of the new FFA Director General will be done in July, 2018.
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