THE Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) hosts the 8th meeting of the Heads of Fisheries of its Pacific Island members from today.
According to a statement, the meeting will allow Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) to discuss issues relating to coastal and oceanic fisheries and aquaculture in the region and exercise oversight over SPC's activities in these areas.
It will also provide an opportunity for in-depth examination of topics of particular interest to PICT fisheries departments. This year, special focus will be placed on sea cucumber fisheries as a regional report will be presented along with explanations of management modes.
There will also be a planning meeting for the SciCOFish (Scientific Support for the Management of Coastal and Oceanic Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Region) project, which is funded by the European Union.
As this large project, which covers coastal and oceanic fisheries, is entering its final year of funding, arrangements must be made with the PICTs to ensure that a certain number of activities continue into the future, both regionally and locally.