Apia, SAMOA – 20 November 2014– The Government of Samoa is completing preparations to host a series of fisheries meetings in Apia from November 21 – December 5.
To be held at the Faleata Sports Complex at Tuanaimato, the meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) or “Tuna Commission” will take place from 1-5 December with preparatory meetings by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and WCPFC scheduled for 21-30 November.
The WCPFC was established for the conservation and management of highly-migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, and the Forum Fisheries Agency is mandated to help countries in the Pacific sustainably manage their fishery resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones.
Spearheading Samoa’s efforts, and reprising her role as National Coordinator, Faalavaau Perina Sila is pleased with preparations and is confident the meetings will prove successful.
“Samoa has an impressive status for hosting conferences. We have demonstrated our capacity for excellence, and will continue to build on that reputation and confidence with the Tuna Commission and other major events currently in the pipeline for next year.”
With more than 600 delegates expected from 41 countries and 45 intergovernmental organizations and NGOs, the sprawling multi-purpose conference facilities at Faleata Sports Complex will once again become a central hub of activity for members of the WCPFC and FFA over the next two weeks.
The Upolu Plenary Hall, in which the main Commission sessions will be held, has been repurposed to suit WCPFC seating requirements, whilst the top floor of the Manono Media Centre will be the venue for the pre-meetings, and the bottom floor will be reserved for Media activities.
A welcoming ceremony has been organised for Monday 1 December at the venue, hosted by the Honourable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to welcome the many Ministers, officials and participants of these meetings.
A meeting highlight will be the signing of the “Tokelau Arrangement on Fisheries”; an agreement that acknowledges the sovereign authority of each of the signatory coastal states, over their exclusive economic zones.
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