Fiji, Dec. 4 -- Pacific members of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) say they are entering WCPFC22 with a united front, determined to secure the South Pacific albacore management procedure and push back against high-seas transshipment practices they say undermine regulation, weaken development opportunities and expose crews to abuse.

In its "Pacific Voices" series, FFA highlighted the priorities of its members as negotiations intensify at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission in Manila this week.

Cook Islands' head of the Ministry of Marine Resources Pamela Maru said the albacore package is essential for the region's domestic fleets and for safeguarding the role of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the fishery.

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