The Secretary General of the Pacific Council of Churches has called on the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to engage more with civil society.
Tuna on the deck of a Pacific fishing vessel. Photo: RNZI/Giff Johnson
Reverend Francois Pihaatae said civil society organisations represent their communities but were on the margins at Tuna Commission meeting and not part of the decision-making process.
He was concerned that distant water fishing nations were making decisions about a resource that belonged to Pacific people.
The Reverend Pihaatae told the media in Manila, where the Tuna Commission is meeting. that some of the culprits involved in illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing are members of the commission.
He said new high registration fees had been brought in making it difficult for many civil society organisations to be involved.