The Economics of the Longline Industry in the South Pacific Islands: Will Implementing the National Tuna Management Plans Lead to Long-Term Sustainable Fishery? A Case Study of Fiji

Research PaperThe small to medium-scale tuna longline industry targets the fresh chilled sashimi markets. This fishery is seen as the major avenue for the development of the domestic tuna industry in the Pacific Islands. The capital and technology requirements for the longline industry are relatively less compared to the purse seine fishery. A number of Pacific Island countries have already developed domestic longline tuna fishery while others are in the process. Much of the longline fishery initiatives are nationally driven based on the sovereign rights granted under the Law of the Sea Convention and through the establishment of the national tuna management plans. This paper is a case study of the development and economics of the longline fishery in Fiji. It critically analyses the implications of the policy regime initiated under Fiji's National Tuna Management Plan. There is a need for greater co-operation between various stakeholders for the industry to remain viable. The paper also points out that the tuna management plans also need to focus on management beyond national jurisdictions. Suggestions to this effect are elaborated