The Nauru Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
The Nauru Agreement is a treaty signed on September 10, 1982, between eight Pacific Island countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. The agreement was formed to manage and control the tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
The Western and Central Pacific Ocean is home to the largest tuna fishery in the world, producing around 60% of the world`s annual catch. The region has a fragile ecosystem, and the Tuna fish stocks are vulnerable to overfishing. To ensure sustainable fishing, the Pacific Island countries formed the Nauru Agreement.
The Nauru Agreement is a collaborative effort that aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the tuna resources in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The agreement established the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), which consists of the eight Pacific Island Countries. The PNA works together to manage and control the tuna resources in the region.
The agreement empowers the PNA to regulate fishing vessels and set fishing quotas. The PNA also monitors the tuna stocks and ensures that fishing practices are sustainable. The PNA utilizes the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) to manage fishing vessels. Under the VDS, fishing vessels are allocated a specific number of fishing days in the region, and the PNA charges a fee for each fishing day.
The Nauru Agreement has been a successful model for managing and controlling tuna fisheries in the Pacific Island region. The agreement has resulted in increased revenue for the Pacific Island countries and has ensured the sustainability of the tuna stocks. Additionally, the agreement has created employment opportunities for local communities and has improved the livelihoods of the people in the Pacific Island countries.
In conclusion, the Nauru Agreement is a vital tool for the Pacific Island countries to manage and control their tuna fisheries. The agreement has been effective in ensuring the sustainability of the tuna stocks and has resulted in economic benefits for the Pacific Island countries. The Nauru Agreement serves as an example of a successful international collaboration to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conservation of marine resources.