The FFIA is dedicated to advancing the interests of its members and ensuring the long-term sustainability and prosperity of Fiji’s tuna longline fishing fleet. The Association performs a range of core functions and services aimed at advocacy, sustainability, compliance, supporting scientific and technology research, and economic development.
Member Representation and Advocacy
- Serve as the unified voice of members in national and international forums.
- Represent members in consultations, regulatory discussions, and industry negotiations with government agencies, development partners, and relevant institutions.
- Advocate for policies that support sustainable growth, economic competitiveness, and the protection of members’ rights and interests.
Compliance and Sustainability Support
- Promote ethical and sustainable fishing practices aligned with international standards and national regulations.
- Support the elimination of IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing activities.
- Assist members with maintaining sustainability certifications and compliance documentation (e.g., MSC, traceability systems).
Crew Welfare, Training, and Occupational Safety
- Promote safe, fair, and humane working conditions for fishing vessel crews and workers.
- Collaborate with training institutions and authorities to improve skills, safety awareness, and career development.
- Advocate for regulatory frameworks that protect seafarers and uphold international labour standards.
External Issue Resolution and Resource Protection
- Represent members in addressing challenges with external parties and regulatory bodies, including licensing, compliance, and operational matters.
- Take a proactive role in defending Fiji’s rights to access and extract its abundant pelagic fish resources for national economic benefit.
- Advocate for the protection of Fiji’s traditional fishing grounds, biodiversity, and marine ecosystems from harmful and disruptive external influences
Industry Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster collaboration among fishing companies, regulatory authorities, and regional and international partners.
- Represent the industry in cross-sectoral platforms addressing trade, fisheries management, labor, and environmental issues.
- Work with stakeholders to remove trade barriers and improve ease of doing business in the fishing sector.
Market Access and Brand Promotion
- Support efforts to remove non-tariff barriers and expand market access for Fijian tuna products.
- Promote fish exports and encourage investments in processing and innovation.
- Enhance the visibility of Fiji’s tuna as a world-class, sustainable brand in global and regional markets.
Information Sharing and Capacity Building
- Provide members with regular updates on regulations, market trends, and industry developments.
- Organise technical workshops, training sessions, and forums to build industry capacity.
- Facilitate the adoption of modern fishing technologies and business practices.
Partake in the International and Regional Scientific, Social and Technology Research
- Collaborate with the regional scientific organisations by getting involved in biological research pertaining to the tuna and tuna-like species of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) and any other oceans where our fleet operates.
- Support in the sharing of company data to assist in the development of the socio-economic status of the industry.
- Partake in the trial of systems or gadgets that will assist in better understanding the fishery and its relations with the environment.