FiTI presents at Regional Conference on Ocean Learning in the Pacific
The Regional Conference on Advancing Ocean Learning: Navigating Knowledge in the Pacific convened at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Marine Campus in Suva, Fiji between the 14th and 16th of April, 2025. The conference was part of the Pacific – European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme and was supported by the European Union and the Government of Sweden.
Ocean experts, researchers, practitioners and stakeholders from across the Pacific gathered for the conference to promote research, training and educational work in the marine sector across the Pacific as well as network with other participants to strengthen ocean studies in the region. The conference also included members of the Diplomatic Corp based in Fiji, government officials from various fisheries authorities across the Pacific, as well as current students of the USP. The FiTI was invited to participate in one of the parallel sessions on the last day of the conference.
Fiji’s Minister for Education, the Honourable Aseri Radrodro opened the conference and emphasised that marine sciences are key to addressing global challenges. He stated that the health of the Pacific Ocean greatly influenced the well-being of people across the globe by regulating climate, supporting biodiversity and supplying food and resources.
Plenary sessions were carried out throughout the first day where panelists set the scene for the three-day conference. The second and third days started with keynote addresses from the former President of the Republic of Fiji and Paramount Chief of Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, and the USP Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen, respectfully.
Parallel sessions followed the keynote addresses on the second and third day. The theme for the second day of the conference was Coastal Fisheries and Marine Resource Management, with parallel sessions covering topics such as national and regional approaches to community-based fisheries management (CBFM), traditional knowledge, sustainable technology and value chain opportunities for Pacific coastal fishery resource.
Marine Sustainable Development was the theme for the last day. Sub-themes for the day included Safeguarding marine biodiversity, Governance and Fishery Management Framework for Tuna in the Pacific and Building capacity in marine sustainable development. Ms Leba Dranivesi, FiTI’s Regional Coordinator for the Pacific, presented on Fisheries Transparency in the Pacific in a session with the sub-theme Sustainable Business Management, including private – public partnerships.
Progressive improvement – a key concept of the FiTI where fisheries authorities must disclose all available information, acknowledge gaps where they exist and show improvements over time – was the highlight of the presentation. There was great interest from the audience, mainly on the availability and accessibility of fisheries data and information as well as the usability of the information by stakeholders, including foreign investors and donors.
