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Sea Cucumber - April 2011 full story...
Turtle Regulations full story...
Aquaculture Areas Applications
GEF - SGP Projects for Community Special Management Areas (SMAs)
Ministries and Community unites for the plight of Tonga's Turtles
Minister Approves Coastal Management Plan for Nomuka Island
Tonga open Tuna Fishing for Foreign Fishing Vessel
Review Current Fees for Fish Fence Licence Holder
Tonga Sea Cucumber Fishery at a Glance: Fact & Figures
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The Department of Fisheries is relatively a new government agency that served as an arm of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry since 1940’s with a mandate to manage and develop Tonga’s aquatic resources. In 1953 the Department later embarked on a long history of fishing vessel operation when the 14m fishing vessel ‘Alaimoana was purchased from New Zealand and to date a total of fourteen vessels operated under the Department, seven of which were donated by Government of Japan and one vessel by Government of Australia. In 1991 Cabinet gave the Department of Fisheries independence to function as Ministry of Fisheries and development effort was directed towards the industrial scale fisheries and limited expansion of small-scale fisheries. Significant milestones since 1991 include the new legislations (Fisheries Management Act 2002 and the Aquaculture Act 2003) which empowered the Ministry to prepare and keep under review plans for conservation, management and development of fisheries in the waters of Tonga. A new Corporate Plan clearly stipulated the Ministry’s vision, mission and goals for the plan period 2004 to 2007. In 2006 Government of Tonga reform resulted in the merge of the Ministry of Fisheries with the Ministry of Agriculture & Food and the Ministry of Forests to form the Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries.
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“An Island Kingdom where agriculture, fisheries & forestry contributes significantly to better living standards of all, in an economically, socially & environmentally sustainable manner”
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“To build a better economy from agriculture, forestry & fisheries for present and future generations” In the coming 36 months (July 2011 to June 2014) MAFFF will assist its customers in:
• Increasing exports of agricultural, fisheries & forests products
• Reducing imports via import substitution
• Reducing food insecurity and rural poverty
• Ensuring an enabling policy and regulatory framework for food and agricultural, fisheries and forestry
• Securing sustainable increases in supply and availability of food
• Conserving and enhancing the agricultural, fisheries & forestry resource base
• Generating knowledge of food & agriculture, fisheries & forestry
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Four core values which lead the Ministry to accomplish its Vision & Mission are:
i. Excellence
ii. Efficiency & Effectiveness
iii. Accountability
iv. Transparency
Tonga’s fishing ground stretches from 15OS to 23.5OS latitude and 173OW to 177OW longitude. The extent of Tonga’s undeclared EEZ is approximately 700,000km2 compared to its land area of 747km2. hence the challenge lies in effectively managing and maximising sustainable development potentials of aquatic resources. The core function of the Fisheries Division involves conserving, managing, developing and sustainable utilization of the Kingdom’s aquatic resources to ensure food security and improve the social and economic well-being of the people of Tonga.
.......................................................................................................................................................................The development of Tonga's living aquatic resource industries to the highest level of use compatible with ecological sustainability with structures of ownership, participation and technology that maximise the benefits to the people of Tonga. ...........................................................................................................................................................................
