National Coastal Fishery Management and Development Plan 2023 - 2026.

The National Coastal Fishery Management and Development Plan is a national policy covering the period between 2023 and 2026. The goals of this Plan are to ensure ecologically and economically sustainable coastal fishery, and to enhance food security and livelihoods for all Tongans. The Ministry of Fisheries aims to promote accountability, co-management, evidence and community-based fisheries management. This Plan applies to: (I) any coastal fisheries resource found within the fishing areas from the intertidal zone to fringing reefs and coastal waters; (II) any fishing activities within that area; (III) any fishers who harvest for personal consumption or sell any of their catch within Tonga territorial and internal fisheries waters; and (IV) any export of coastal fisheries resources for commercial or home consumption purposes.
This policy lays down strategies for the management and sustainability of coastal resources. It addresses the external threats to coastal fishery resources including: population growth; natural disasters; climate change; pollution; and coastal development and associated coastal runoff and siltation. The coastal fisheries sector will be strengthened to adapt and respond to these external pressures to mitigate their impacts as part of a broader policy response. Conservation measures will be taken to ensure that all coastal fisheries activities have minimal impacts on the marine and coastal environments. All small-scale vessels used for subsistence fishing will be registered, and all small-scale fishing vessels used for commercial fishing will be registered and licensed. Fishing gear control, species limitation and seasonal closure will be enforced according to coastal communities’ regulations. Reliable information will be made available for the state of stocks, licensing processes and management approaches. Species specific management and development plans, prioritizing endangered species, will be developed.
The conservation of marine resources will be strengthened to ensure that coastal fisheries resources continue to play crucial role in society contributing to food security, as well as economic and social development. Coastal fisheries resources monitoring programme will be strengthened to collect fisheries information and valuable scientific knowledge on key species. The resilience of coastal communities to the impacts of climate change on coastal fisheries will be increased through awareness-raising and capacity building. Community-based fisheries management approaches will be underpinned to ensure food security and long-term ecological, social and economic benefits for the people of Tonga. Complementary sustainable livelihood initiatives and initiatives to support coastal fisheries resource management will be developed. The establishment of fishing community councils will be encouraged. The capacity of fishing associations and councils will be enhanced. Research on domestic and international fish markets will be conducted to support the coastal communities. The engagement with the Ministry of Fisheries and external stakeholders, such as line agencies, women’s groups, fishing associations, environmental groups, Community Fishing Committees, will be enhanced.