The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has received a significant financial boost from the United States, receiving US$60 million in December 2025 to support fisheries management and economic development across the Pacific region. This payment represents the second annual installment of a decade-long, US$600 million commitment made by the U.S. Under a renewed Economic Assistance Agreement (EAA) linked to the Treaty on Fisheries.
The funding is intended to bolster national fisheries management, promote economic growth and enhance ocean resilience within Pacific Island States. The treaty, originally established in 1979, is a cornerstone of regional cooperation regarding the sustainable use of marine resources, particularly highly migratory fish stocks. This latest payment underscores the continued importance of the partnership between the U.S. And Pacific Island nations in safeguarding these vital resources.
According to the FFA, the initial payment, delivered in 2024, was distributed according to the internal arrangements established by the Pacific Island Parties. The next payment, valued at US$60 million, is anticipated in the mid-year or third quarter of 2026. This consistent financial support is crucial for Pacific Island nations, many of whom rely heavily on fisheries for their economies and food security.
Strengthening a Decades-Long Partnership
Rachel L. Ryan, Deputy Director of the Office of Marine Conservation at the State Department, emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to the long-standing partnership with the Pacific Island Parties. “The United States deeply values the decades-long partnership with the Pacific Island Parties under the Treaty and look forward to continuing our close cooperation under the Treaty framework, including restarting our annual Treaty consultations, to enhance and strengthen the existing partnership,” Ryan stated. The U.S. Is keen to resume annual consultations with treaty partners, a practice that was paused for four years but is scheduled to restart in Niue in late April 2026, following the conclusion of renegotiations in June 2024.
FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the U.S.’s ongoing support. “On behalf of the Pacific Island Parties, I take this opportunity to convey my appreciation and thanks to the United States for its continued commitment to the development of the Pacific Island States through the EAA and the Treaty,” Pakop said. “The payment reinforces the strong partnership that has existed for more than decades between the United States and Pacific Island countries in the implementation of the Treaty.”
The Treaty on Fisheries: A Regional Framework
The Treaty on Fisheries, formally known as the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention, was initially signed in 1979 by 14 states, including numerous tiny island nations in the Pacific, as well as Australia and Modern Zealand. The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), headquartered in Honiara, Solomon Islands, serves as the secretariat for the treaty and facilitates regional cooperation on fisheries policies. Tokelau joined the FFA membership in 2002, bringing the total number of member states to 17.
The FFA operates the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre, also located in the Solomon Islands, and annually conducts Operation Kurukuru, a collaborative effort to monitor and inspect fishing vessels in the region. This proactive approach is vital for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which poses a significant threat to the sustainability of Pacific fisheries.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming Treaty consultations in Niue in April 2026 will provide a crucial opportunity for the U.S. And Pacific Island Parties to further refine their collaboration and address emerging challenges in fisheries management. Continued financial support, like the recent US$60 million payment, is essential for ensuring the long-term health of Pacific fisheries and the economic well-being of the communities that depend on them. The ongoing commitment to the Treaty framework signals a shared dedication to sustainable resource management in the Pacific Ocean.
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