FFA Director General

Speaking from the Cook Islands, Secretary General Dame Meg Taylor said “I am very proud that a daughter of the Blue Pacific has been appointed Director General. The Forum Fisheries Agency plays an extremely important leadership role for our fisheries, one of the most important resources for our people.”

The Tongan national is one of four candidates shortlisted for the position which will be decided at the FFA's Ministers Meeting in the Cook Islands this week.

The Cook Islands News reports the three-day meeting will farewell current director general, James Movick, who will conclude his six-year term at the end of the year.

Dr Tupou-Roosen is currently Legal Counsel at the FFA headquarters in Honiara, Solomon Islands. She was one of four candidates that got shortlisted for the position of FFA Director General when incumbent James Movick completes his term at the end of the year.

Dr Tupou-Roosen will be the first woman to head the regional agency mandated to manage and oversee the fisheries of Pacific island countries. She is originally from Tonga and was nominated to the DG position by her government.

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.