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Background History
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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Vision
We envision that through our effective and efficient management and development, Tonga’s living aquatic resources will continue to contribute to improving the quality of life for present and future generations.
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Mission
Our Mission is to increase the effectiveness of the living aquatic resource sector’s contribution to the sustainable development of Tonga by providing management, administration, training and research.
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Values
We will develop and maintain a participative work environment in which our people will feel valued and able to contribute to the best of their abilities. We will maintain the highest levels of professional behaviour by:-
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- Fulfilling legislative obligations with professionalism
- Undertaking our official duties, honestly and efficiently
- Respecting the right of our work colleagues, stakeholders and the public
- Not engaging in any private activities that will bring the Department into disrepute or involve a conflict of interest.
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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. |
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