Regional fisheries agency says US-Pacific Tuna Treaty vital, as it delivers US$50 million boost

The South Pacific Tuna Treaty, often referred to as the US Tuna Treaty, continues to be a crucial partnership for the region, according to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The FFA, which manages offshore tuna fisheries within the 200-mile zones of its 17 member nations, highlighted the treaty's importance in providing financial support that aids the islands in managing their fishing activities.

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This latest distribution represents a significant contribution to Pacific Island Parties and reflects the value of the cooperation that has been built under the Treaty over many years.

FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop announced this week in Honiara that the agency had received the second distribution of 2026 funds under the US Tuna Treaty, totaling US$50.42 million. "This latest distribution represents a significant contribution to Pacific Island Parties and reflects the value of the cooperation that has been built under the Treaty over many years," Pakop stated.

This disbursement follows the US government's US$60 million payment in mid-July for 2026, underscoring its ongoing commitment to this long-standing fisheries partnership. Of that amount, US$49.5 million was allocated for this second distribution. The FFA noted that the total US$50.42 million also includes funds from purchased fishing days and Fiji's redistributed share to the Exploratory Pool, aligning with a 2023 decision by FFC Ministers.

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We acknowledge the US government for its continued commitment and Fiji for honouring its pledge to redistribute its share in line with the decision of FFC Ministers.

Pakop welcomed the latest funds, acknowledging the US government's sustained commitment and Fiji's adherence to its pledge. He emphasized that the US Tuna Treaty is one of the Pacific's most enduring fisheries partnerships, providing an essential framework for cooperation between the United States and Pacific Island nations. The FFA also confirmed that remaining funds from the 2026 US government payment are set aside for future distributions, with additional allocations for fishing effort components to be distributed in early 2027.

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The US Tuna Treaty is one of the Pacific's longest-standing fisheries partnerships and provides an important framework for fisheries cooperation between the United States and Pacific Island Parties.