Pacific Islands Regional Plan of Action for Sharks : guidance for Pacific Island Countries and Territories on the Conservation and Management of Sharks

Abstract

Regional cooperation and responses are common across the PICTs. SPREP already has in place regional action plans for marine turtles, dugongs, and whales and dolphins. In addition, the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), comprising 17 Pacific States, has a proven track record in cooperation on fisheries management issues including the longstanding Nauru Agreement and the current development of a regional monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) strategy. The participation of the PICTs in other regional initiatives such as the Coral Triangle Initiative, in the WCPFC (see Figure 2) and in development of the Commission’s regional observer programme and vessel monitoring system, reinforce the view that this group of countries is well placed to adopt a regional approach to conservation and management of sharks.