President of French Polynesia Mr. Edouard Fritch and Lord Fakafanua in  the middle, and members of Technical committee.

The president of French Polynesia Mr. Edouard Fritch this morning opened the Pacific Islands Parliament Group Technical Meeting in Papeete, Tahiti. The Technical meeting is to review the implementation of the commitments made at the conclusion of the conference of the Pacific Island Parliamentary Group held in Papeete on 10 and 11 September 2019, the Taraho'i Declaration. The Pact for the blue economy was adopted unanimously and invites each member parliament to act in accordance with 16 commitments.

The French Polynesian President in his opening remarks stressed the importance of the ocean to the people of the Pacific and at the same time the threats that will have disastrous impact on the livelihood of the Pacific People. He added the center of the blue economy should be around our people. President Edouard Fritch said the Pacific will;

 “continue to cooperate on fisheries-related economic development and oceans resilience by forging new ties to:

-           Improve Maritime Domain Awareness, search and rescue, and maritime security,

-           curb the scourge of marine debris and plastic pollution, and

-           combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated IUU Fishing—a tangible threat to our fish-stocks and to our environment and livelihoods”

President Gaston Tong Sang, President of French Polynesian Parliament

This was echoed by the President of the French Polynesian Parliament Mr. Gaston Tong Sang in his address, emphasizing the important role Parliamentarians play and the commitment they have shown, offers hope for a sustainable blue economy.  Mr. Gaston said the “challenges are great, and it is together that we must rise to them. Our strength is this inter-island dialogue that must never be broken, this cord made of coconut fiber, this "nape" that links our islands and that we must all weave together.”

Lord Fakafanua while answering the questions on the measures that Tonga have taken with regards to issues raised in the Taraho’i Declaration-Pact for the sustainable blue economy, said the Ocean does not divide the Pacific countries but binds them together. Lord Fakafanua expressed his concern about the impact of climate change on some of the current treaties that Tonga is signatory to such as UNCLOS because rising sea levels may have implications with regards to a country’s EEZ. Lord Fakafanua also touched on the current work that Tonga has undertaken with regards to plastic materials, water treatment and fishing including the Special management areas.

There were five thematic areas where discussion focused, including Plastic Materials, water treatment, Optimization of resources, Fishing management of areas and illegal fishing.

Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC)

Prior to today’s opening, members of the technical committee visited the “Teahupoo rahui” a special protected coastal sea area in the Teahupoo district, a very successful project. Marine life in the Rahui (protected area) are thriving due to the project. Members also visited the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) which monitor activities in the ocean from rescuing to monitoring of the shipping lane, locating and reporting of illegal fishing boats and fishing activities.

Lord Fakafanua and the President of French Polynesia, Mr. Edouard Fritch and President of the French Polynesian Parliament Gaston Tong Sang, Hon Taniela Fusimalohi and Deputy Clerk Sione Vikilani

Hon. Taniela Fusimalohi the ‘Eua constituency 11 People’s representative and Deputy Clerk Sione Vikilani is accompanying the Lord Speaker to the meeting.

The meeting will conclude on Friday.