Additional EU funds to contribute to the sustainable use of marineresources in the Pacific

The European Union will provide an additional €650,000 to assist the work of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the body in charge of the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks in the Pacific.

The funds, to be made available over the period 2014-2020, are being channelled through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) - the maritime and policy making arm of the EU. Every year, the European Union earmarks funds to finance specific fisheries projects implemented by regional fisheries management organisations all over the world.

European Union Ambassador for the Pacific, Andrew Jacobs said: "We are delighted to see additional funds coming to the fisheries sector in the Pacific. This complements the efforts of the EU-supported regional fisheries programmes in the region. Despite the small presence of EU fishing vessels in the Pacific, the EU is one of the world's biggest markets for fish, seafood and aquaculture products and it is committed to consistently promoting sustainable and responsible fisheries in the region. We have an obligation to ensure that the fish traded into the EU is coming from healthy and well-managed fisheries sources. European consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the health of our oceans and demand that fish are sourced in a sustainable manner."

The three projects that will benefit from the €650,000 EU contribution focus on the data analysis and transhipment activities; understanding of tuna market data and analysis of the changing nature of the shark trade in the Pacific.

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