National Plan of Action on the conservation and management of sharks (Revised) 2023-2027.

The National Plan of Action on the conservation and management of sharks (NPOA Sharks) provides for a comprehensive set of policies with the purpose of guiding the efforts of the Ministry of Fisheries in the conservation and management of oceanic sharks in Tonga's fisheries waters. It has been developed in line with the overarching goal of the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA Sharks) (FAO, 1999) to ensure the conservation and management of sharks for their long-term sustainable use. The objectives of the NPOA Sharks are as follows: (I) to ensure the conservation and management of sharks in Tonga's fisheries waters; (II) to minimize any adverse environmental effects of fishing on shark species; and (III) to ensure long-term sustainability and efficient use of sharks in line with Tonga’s development policies, attention must be given to its fisheries development needs and its international obligations. Tonga’s NPOA Sharks covers all current and future licensed fishing vessels—including domestic, foreign, and locally based foreign vessels—as well as all types of fishing gear used in its waters or on the high seas—including those used for artisanal, sport fishing, commercial longline and community fisheries— particularly where sharks are caught as bycatch.