Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA): An Overview
The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) is a sub-regional organization of eight Pacific Island countries that seeks to regulate and manage tuna fisheries within their exclusive economic zones (EEZs). The PNA was established in 1982, with the signing of the Nauru Agreement, which granted the countries full control over fisheries in their EEZs.
The members of the PNA include Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. Together, these countries maintain the world`s largest sustainable tuna fisheries, accounting for almost 50% of the global supply of skipjack tuna.
The PNA seeks to regulate the management, control, and development of tuna fisheries in the region, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of these resources. The organization operates through a system of vessel day scheme (VDS), which limits the number of fishing vessels allowed into the region and promotes sustainable fishing practices.
The VDS system is designed to provide the PNA with complete control over the management of tuna fishing in the region, allowing member countries to set their fishing limits, allocate fishing days, and trade fishing days with other members. The system has been successful in ensuring the sustainability of tuna stocks while providing economic benefits to member countries.
The PNA is also involved in a number of projects aimed at building the capacity of local fishing communities, promoting technology transfer, and developing new products and markets for Pacific tuna. The organization operates a number of programs that support small-scale tuna fisheries, including the PNA Longline Vessel Day Scheme, which provides access to deep-sea fishing for local fishermen.
In recent years, the PNA has become recognized as a model for international fisheries management, with its innovative VDS system and successful efforts to promote sustainable fishing practices. The organization has received praise from environmental groups, industry representatives, and international organizations for its work in protecting the health of tuna stocks while promoting economic development in the region.
In summary, the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) is a sub-regional organization that has successfully regulated and managed tuna fisheries in the Pacific region. Through its innovative VDS system and various capacity-building programs, the PNA has set an example for sustainable fisheries management worldwide. As a result, the organization has become a key player in the global tuna industry, promoting economic development while ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries in the region.