Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA

| From Village Shores to Regional Frontlines

There was a moment during Operation Tui Moana 2026 when Samoa's Stella Sahara Tuuau stood alongside fisheries officers from across the Pacific, presenting intelligence findings and contributing to one of the region's largest fisheries surveillance operations.

For Stella, a Senior Fisheries Officer with Samoa's Fisheries Division, it was more than just a professional achievement. It was a chance to protect the same ocean that sustained her village of Salesatele while growing up.

🗣 "We are the caretakers of our ocean and our fish. There are no more suitable people on earth to be the custodians of the ocean than those for whom the sea is home."

From analysing vessel activity at the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara to building friendships and strengthening regional cooperation, Stella's journey reflects the dedication of Pacific people working together to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and safeguard the future of our ocean.

Read full story ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/2026/06/from-village-shores-to-regional-frontlines-how-a-young-woman-from-salesatele-village-found-her-calling-protecting-the-pacifics-fisheries/

| Request for Expressions of Interest – Individual Consultant (IC)

FFA is inviting qualified and experienced professionals to express their interest in an exciting consultancy opportunity under the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program - Second Phase for Economic Resilience (PROPER), funded by the World Bank.

⚓ Consultancy: Fiji Fisheries Tuna Port Review and Feasibility Assessment Consultant

📍 Location: Fiji (with fieldwork in Suva and stakeholder engagement as required)

⏳ Duration: Approximately 8–10 weeks

This consultancy will support the assessment of Fiji’s fisheries port infrastructure and identify strategic investment opportunities to strengthen the country's role as a regional tuna fisheries hub, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainable fisheries development across the Pacific.

💼 We are looking for a consultant with:
✔️ Expertise in port and maritime infrastructure planning
✔️ Experience in fisheries economics and tuna industry operations
✔️ Knowledge of transport logistics and port operations
✔️ Strong financial and economic analysis skills
✔️ Advanced degree in engineering, economics, maritime studies, or a related field
✔️ Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in port development or infrastructure advisory
✔️ Demonstrated experience conducting feasibility studies and investment analysis
✔️ Experience working in Pacific Island countries or developing country contexts is highly desirable
✔️ Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards is an advantage

🌊 This is a unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable fisheries development and infrastructure planning in the Pacific by helping shape future investments that enhance regional tuna fisheries operations and economic resilience.

📩 Submit your Expression of Interest:

Email: [email protected]

🗓️ Deadline: 4:00pm, 20 June 2026 (Solomon Islands Time)

Full details and Terms of Reference (TOR) here ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/jobs/fiji-fisheries-tuna-port-review-and-feasibility-assessment-consultancy/

🇼🇸 Happy Independence Day, Samoa! 🇼🇸

Today, we celebrate Samoa’s journey as an independent nation and recognise its contributions to the Pacific region.

As a valued member of the FFA family, Samoa continues to play an important role in protecting our shared tuna resources and strengthening efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Through cooperation, vigilance and responsible fisheries management, Samoa is helping to ensure our ocean resources remain sustainable for future generations.

Wishing the people of Samoa a happy and memorable Independence Day.

| FFA is pleased to support 15 members of the Samoa Fish Vendors Association this week, through practical training aimed at strengthening food security and helping participants gain greater value from Samoa’s fisheries resources.

The association also received equipment and utensils for producing bottled and smoked tuna products, providing its members with the tools needed to put their new skills into practice.

Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Aiolupotea Misa Tony Aiolupo, handed over the equipment on behalf of FFA at a short handover ceremony this morning. The equipment was received by the President of the Samoa Fish Vendors Association, Mr Pauolo Asovalu.

Supporting local operators and fish vendors, particularly women and youth, helps strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and create more opportunities for Pacific communities to benefit from their fisheries resources.

The training was delivered with funding support from FFA’s Oceanic Fisheries Management Programme (OFMP III) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

| Operation Tui Moana strengthens Pacific fisheries surveillance cooperation

More than 10 Pacific EEZs and adjacent high seas areas monitored.

FFA Members have concluded Operation Tui Moana 2026, reinforcing regional cooperation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and strengthening maritime domain awareness across the Pacific.

Key highlights of OPTM26:

👥 10 FFA Members + Pacific QUAD partners
⚓ 61 vessel inspections conducted
👁️‍🗨️ Over 200 vessel detections verified
⚠️ 4 vessels of interest identified
🔒 2 apprehensions linked to potential fisheries violations

🗣️“Operation Tui Moana 2026 has been a powerful demonstration of intelligence-led, cooperative fisheries surveillance in action across a vast area spanning 10 Exclusive Economic Zones.” - FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop

The Operation brought together regional patrol boats, aerial surveillance assets, intelligence teams and maritime partners to strengthen collective fisheries enforcement and regional security cooperation across the Pacific.

Read more ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/2026/05/pacific-nations-unite-to-strengthen-fisheries-surveillance-through-operation-tui-moana-2026/

| Request for Expressions of Interest – Individual Consultant (IC)

FFA is inviting qualified and creative professionals to express their interest in an exciting consultancy opportunity under the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program - Second Phase for Economic Resilience (PROPER), funded by the World Bank.

🎨 Consultancy: Graphic Designer
📍 Location: Home-based (remote and intermittent work arrangement)
⏳ Duration: Up to 60 working days over a two-year period (commencing July 2026)

This consultancy will support the development of high-quality visual communication materials that strengthen the visibility of Pacific fisheries issues and enhance FFA’s corporate outreach, knowledge-sharing, and stakeholder engagement across the region.

💼 We are looking for a consultant with:
✔️ Qualification in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Media Arts, or related field
✔️ Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in graphic design
✔️ Strong portfolio in infographics, reports, social media content, and visual storytelling
✔️ Experience designing for development, regional, or international organisations
✔️ Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, PowerPoint, and web-optimized design
✔️ Experience working in the Pacific region or on Pacific development and fisheries topics is an advantage
✔️ Skills in motion graphics and video editing are an added advantage

🌊 This is a unique opportunity to contribute to regional fisheries development through creative storytelling, impactful design, and strategic communications that support sustainable ocean management across the Pacific.

📩 Submit your Expression of Interest:
Email: [email protected]

🗓️ Deadline: 4:00pm, 05 June 2026 (Solomon Islands Time)

Full details and Terms of Reference (TOR) here ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/jobs/request-for-expressions-of-interest-individual-consultant-ic/

| Pacific Fisheries Officials Conclude Strategic Regional Talks in Wellington

Senior fisheries officials from across the Pacific have concluded a week of strategic regional discussions in Wellington, with strong focus placed on sustainability, economic resilience and strengthening regional cooperation on key fisheries priorities.

The 142nd Annual Officials Meeting of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC), hosted by the Government of New Zealand, concluded on Friday 15 May 2026.

🗣 “We are all on the same boat. Together, we are turning our ship toward the direction we aspire to go,” FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said.

Read full story ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/2026/05/pacific-fisheries-officials-conclude-strategic-regional-talks-in-wellington/

| Poi Okesene Reflects on His Time as FFC Chair

There was a moment during his farewell remarks at the 142nd Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Officials Meeting in Wellington when outgoing Chair Poi Okesene of Niue paused, smiled, and took delegates back to his younger days in New Zealand.

Long before chairing one of the Pacific’s most important regional fisheries meetings, Mr Okesene was a young Niuean student trying to find his place in Wellington.

🗣 “I attended Mana College in Porirua for two years in the late 1980s. Being new to New Zealand for the first time, I had to overcome the challenge of speaking English as a second language. At the school canteen, the only thing I recognised on the menu was a mince pie, so that became my lunch every day for quite some time.”

Read full story ⤵
https://www.ffa.int/2026/05/from-rugby-fields-to-regional-fisheries-leadership-poi-okesene-reflects-on-his-time-as-ffc-chair/