May 2

The United Nations General Assembly voted on Dec 8 to establish World Tuna Day as an internationally-recognized event.

The event initiated by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) in 2011 has now gained international ratification for the annual celebration of tuna.

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Mao Zeming when welcoming the UN’s decision said PNG is one of eight countries in the pacific region who are members of PNA with waters rich in tuna.

The proposal was initiated by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) and went to the UN with the backing of all 17 Pacific Island members of the Forum Fisheries Agency.

  “We are delighted with United Nations ratification of World Tuna Day,” said PNA CEO Ludwig Kumoru, who is in Fiji attending the 13^th annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

His comments were echoed by the FFA director general James Movick.

It’s great news and could not have come at a better time for all the Pacific SIDS Mr Movick said.