Page 20 - IB Jan 2018

Fisheries Agriculture Drought affects Vanuatu P24
Election issue E-ticketing switch P26

SPORTS OPINION
Pacific lawyers to replace fisheries boss

Race Halafihi said. Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiriba-

ti, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand,
“Tonga would like to see her in the role
Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa,
of Director-General and we are talking to
for FFA delegates here at WCPFC for their support.” Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu
While Tonga’s nominee has an impres-
and Vanuatu.
sive track record at the FFA, she will need
The agency was established in 1979 to
help countries sustainably manage their
the support of the Polynesian bloc and Fiji
to secure the position.
fishery resources that fall within their 200
top job two main contenders at the end of nomina- mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
If Tupou-Roosen and Manoni remain the
It is an advisory body providing exper-
tise, technical assistance and other sup-
tions, the battle might be drawn into two
camps – North and South Pacific.
Manoni has been nominated by the port to its members who make sovereign
decisions about their tuna resources and
Marshall Islands which will hope participate in regional decision
for the support of the Parties to making on tuna management.
the Nauru Agreement which basi- Meanwhile, FFA Deputy Director-
cally administers tuna fishing in the General Wez Norris’ term ends
Northern Pacific. last month and he is expected to
By Netani Rika If all the PNA members – the be replaced by a New Zealander
THERE are two definite frontrunners in the Federated States of Micronesia, Matthew Hooper who has exten-
race for the position of Director-General of Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, sive experience at the Food and
the Forum Fisheries Agency. the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Solo- Agriculture Organisation in Rome.
Marshall Islands Attorney-General, Dr mon Islands and Tuvalu – support Movick confirmed Hooper’s ap-
Filimon Manoni, and Tonga’s Dr Manu Manoni, he will need only one other pointment. Hooper - who spent part
Tupou-Roosen were the definite top con- country to secure a majority. of his childhood in Tokelau, and
tenders to replace James Movick of the Manoni has a reputation for a began his career in New Zealand
Federated States of Micronesia whose term hard stand on corruption in his fisheries in 1996 - will start work
ends this year. adopted country. His no-nonsense in the first half of 2018.
At the end of the 14th Western and attitude will be seen as a strength After working on several key
Central Pacific Fisheries Commission by the 17 FFA member-countries legislation over Maori ownership
meeting in Pasay City, the Philippines last who constantly battle against large of New Zealand fisheries, Hooper
month, Movick confirmed that nomina- Distant Water Fishing Nations in served with the NZ Ministry of
tions had been received for Manoni and legal negotiations and treaties on Foreign Affairs and Trade as the
Tupou-Roosen. the use of regional fisheries. Counsellor (Primary Industries)
“Traditionally the post of Director- Tupou-Roosen’s advantage will and Deputy Permanent Representa-
General has been held by a Pacific Islander be her years of experience working tive to the UN Food and Agriculture
with the Deputy DG from either Australia with the FFA and its legal team. Organisation (FAO), based at the
or New Zealand,” Movick said. There have been no other in- New Zealand Embassy in Rome.
“Nominations will close early in 2018 dications of aspiring candidates for the Movick said the appointment brought
and then the Forum Fisheries Ministers Director-General position which is respon- significant experience in Pacific tuna fish-
will meet to decide on my replacement. I sible for leadership of an agency tasked to eries, including the WCPFC, to the role.
must say, however, that there are many drive regional cooperation to create and “The selection committee were im-
competent regional people who can take enable the maximum long term social and pressed by Matt’s experience in leading
up the role and the process is moving economic benefit from the sustainable use inter-agency and multi-disciplinary teams
ahead smoothly.” of offshore fishery resources. But there is in both national and international negotia-
Tonga has started to lobby quietly for an outside chance that Solomon Islands tions and advocacy at bilateral, regional
Tupou-Roosen who currently heads the may put forward Dr Transform Aqorau – and multilateral levels,” he said.
FFA Legal Unit in Honiara, Solomon former CEO of the PNA – as a candidate “Like his predecessor (Australian, Wez
Islands. and creating a very tight three-way race Norris), Matt has an open and collaborative
CEO of the Tongan Fisheries Ministry, for the FFA leadership. relationship management style suited to
Tuikolongahau Halafihi, said his country’s Based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, the FFA’s multi-cultural setting.
nominee was a highly qualified candidate FFA strengthens national capacity and Movick paid tribute to the outgoing
well-suited to the position. “Dr Tupou- regional solidarity so its 17 members can Deputy Director-General, saying Norris’
Roosen has vast experience not only in manage, control and develop the region’s contributions were lasting, impressive, and
the laws regarding fisheries but also in tuna fisheries worth around USD3 billion of an extraordinary level.
the working of the FFA in which she has per annum. r netrika66@gmail.com
held a senior position for some time,” Its members are Australia, Cook Islands,

20 Islands Business, January 2018