At the 21st Annual Meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) held this week, a significant milestone was reached as the Minister of Natural Resources Development of Tuvalu, Hon. Sa’aga Talu Teafa, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement new terms and conditions for access under the long-standing Treaty on Fisheries between the United States and Pacific Island Parties.
The new access arrangements, which were the result of three years of intensive negotiations and finalized in May 2024, will come into effect next year through this interim MOU, as formal ratification by all parties is still underway.
Under the revised treaty, the United States Government has committed an annual allocation of US$60 million for access to Pacific Island waters by US-flagged purse seine vessels. Of this amount, Tuvalu stands to receive approximately US$4 million each year, recognizing its critical role in providing access to its exclusive economic zone.
The new terms mark an important step forward in fostering sustainable fisheries management while ensuring that Pacific Island nations, including Tuvalu, gain equitable returns from the region’s tuna resources.