Honiara Summit adapts approaches to manage fish stock in the region

By Fredrick Kusu

At the 4 days Honiara Summit, Pacific leaders, fisheries experts and stakeholders have discussed and agreed on approaches to progress the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4.

The summit examined the progress made in implementing SDG target 14.4 based on global fish stock, methods for fish stock assessment and approaches in managing fisheries.

A communique released outlines the need for capacity development in fish stock assessments as the global fish stock requires urgent attention.

It noted “with 37.7% of global fish stocks classified as overfished, continuous efforts to improve fisheries management and restore stocks are crucial to achieve SDG Target 14.4.”

“National reporting on fish stock status should be strengthened to better track progress toward SDG Target 14.4.”

The summit acknowledged the need to strengthen management systems to allow fish stocks to recover and increase catches within biologically sustainable levels.

It also sees the need to maintain the contribution of sustainable fisheries to achieving food security and livelihoods of the people living in the region’s coastal communities.

“Fisheries and their products contribute to achieving food security, nutrition, livelihoods and economic development, particularly in coastal communities and Small Island Developing States.”

“It is important to ensure these contributions are maintained, in the context of a growing global population.” ​

Meanwhile technological innovations and investments are also needed to achieve SDG target 14.4.

This requires ways to monitor fish stocks especially in the region with limited information and resources to monitor fish stock.

Closing the summit the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele said the outcomes of the summit can be achieved through strong collaboration.

He called on the international community to recognize the efforts of Pacific Islands Countries in achieving SDG 14.4.

The outcomes of the summit will be put forward for deliberations at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference to be held in Nice, France in June, 2025.

They will be part of the Pacific’s efforts to achieve SDG 14 which is to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”

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