Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency

What Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency does

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in Honiara, Solomon Islands, that supports 17 Pacific Island member countries in the sustainable management of tuna fisheries across their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones. FFA's core technical stack centres on monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS): a satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) tracking vessel position, speed and direction via Automatic Location Communicators; the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC), staffed by 9 personnel plus seconded Australian and New Zealand Defence Force officials, which generates a fused Regional Surveillance Picture combining VMS, Automatic Identification System (AIS), licensing and WCPFC vessel data for IUU risk assessment; and an Aerial Surveillance Programme operating two King Air B200 aircraft for up to 1,440 surveillance hours per year under Australian funding. Digital fisheries systems are an explicit modernization vector, with the Electronic Port State Measures (e-PSM) system fully operational since 2025, the Electronic Catch Documentation Scheme (e-CDS) under development, and Electronic Reporting (ER) made mandatory through fisheries license conditions in May 2026.

FFA's revenue model is non-commercial and member-driven: 17 Pacific Island governments (Australia, Cook Islands, FSM, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) provide contributions through the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC), while a diversified donor stack channels programme funding from the US (US$60M/year in Economic Assistance under the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries; US$180M over three payments), New Zealand (Sustainable Pacific Fisheries Programme 2022-2028, CSEPTA), Australia (Pacific Maritime Security Program, DFAT), the European Union (PEUMP II from January 2026), Japan, Sweden, and the Green Climate Fund (FP259, 2025-2031). FFA administers the US Multilateral Treaty on behalf of its members, manages vessel registration and licensing data, and delivers capacity building through PIRFO training courses, the Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance (Cohort 12 commencing September 2026 with USP Pacific TAFE), and the Diploma in Fisheries Investigation and Prosecution. Its go-to-market is government-to-government relationship delivery, formalized through annual FFC Officials and Ministerial Meetings, Country Partnership Agreements, sub-regional arrangements (PNAO, Niue Treaty, South Pacific Group), and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), where FFA prepares science-based briefings and management frameworks for its members.

Name

Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency

Legal name

Forum Fisheries Agency

Website

https://ffa.int

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FFA is an intergovernmental agency supporting 17 Pacific Island member countries in the sustainable management of tuna fisheries across their Exclusive Economic Zones, delivering monitoring, surveillance, digital fisheries systems, training, and treaty administration funded by member contributions and a diversified donor base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Fisheries Management

NAICS

Public Administration (92), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), ISPS Code Compliance & Port Facility Security Assessments (PFSA/PFSP) (TLAHANAA), Results-Based Financing (RBF) & Performance-Based Grants (BPADAOAF)

Keywords

• Regional fisheries management
• Tuna fisheries governance
• Maritime surveillance programs
• Fisheries compliance enforcement
• Oceanic resource administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Honiara

HQ country

Solomon Islands

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Country Contributions: FFA is funded through contributions from its 17 member countries, with the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC) Officials agreeing on FFA's priorities, annual work programme, and budget.
2. US Multilateral Treaty Administration: FFA administers the US Multilateral Treaty on Fisheries, managing purse seine regional licences for vessels operating under the Treaty, administering licence payments and distributing funds, and managing the Project Development Fund (PDF) for Pacific Island Parties. The US delivers annual economic assistance contributions — the 2026 contribution is US$60 million, with three payments bringing total US contributions to US$180 million.
3. Donor-Funded Projects: FFA manages numerous donor-funded projects including: United Nations Oceanic Fisheries Management Project III, Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP), Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROPER), Japanese government funding, Swedish government funding, Australian government funding (DFAT), New Zealand government funding (MFAT), and Green Climate Fund Regional Tuna Programme (FP259, 2025-2031).
4. Vessel Licensing and Registration Fees: FFA manages vessel registration, licensing data, and the Regional Register, collecting and processing fees associated with fishing vessel licensing across member EEZs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FFA is an intergovernmental agency that assists 17 Pacific Island member countries in sustainably managing their offshore tuna fisheries. It delivers monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) capabilities — satellite-based Vessel Monitoring System, the 24/7 Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre, and an Aerial Surveillance Programme — alongside sustainable tuna policy advice, capacity building through training and scholarships, treaty administration (including the US Multilateral Treaty), and donor-funded programme delivery spanning multi-million-dollar fisheries development projects.

Product overview

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) provides an integrated suite of fisheries management services across 17 Pacific Island member countries. The core portfolio centres on sustainable tuna management and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) capabilities including the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC), Aerial Surveillance Programme, and Regional Observer Programme. Digital transformation initiatives include Electronic Port State Measures (e-PSM), Electronic Catch Documentation Scheme (e-CDS), and mandatory Electronic Reporting systems. Capacity building offerings encompass PIRFO training courses, Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance, and Diploma in Fisheries Investigation and Prosecution. Climate resilience is addressed through the Green Climate Fund Regional Tuna Programme and Advanced Warning System. Value-add initiatives include the Pacific Islands Tuna Ventures Programme and East New Britain Initiative. The US Multilateral Treaty administration and WCPFC support round out the major service lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Satellite-based system that monitors the position, speed and direction of registered fishing vessels across the Pacific region, enabling FFA's 17 member countries to track and monitor fishing activities and enforce area closures and licence restrictions.
• Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) Centralised surveillance hub at FFA's Honiara headquarters that generates and maintains a Regional Surveillance Picture (RSP) — a risk-assessed operating picture of oceanic fishing vessels — providing IUU risk analysis, surveillance planning, and capability development for all 17 FFA Members.
• Aerial Surveillance Programme Aerial surveillance service using 2 dedicated King Air B200 aircraft available 365 days per year for up to 1,440 hours of air surveillance, supporting Exclusive Economic Zone protection, Maritime Domain Awareness, interagency collaboration and deterrence against IUU fishing.
• Regional Observer Programme Programme providing policy guidance and technical support to National Observer Programmes across FFA's 17 member countries, ensuring observers receive comprehensive training and equipment and operate safely while collecting fishing operation data.
• Electronic Port State Measures (e-PSM) Digital system strengthening port inspection, monitoring processes and information sharing across the FFA Membership to combat IUU fishing. Launched in 2024 and fully operational since 2025.
• PIRFO (Pacific Islands Regional Fisheries Observer) Training Courses Suite of training courses for fisheries observers, debriefers and managers delivered across the Pacific region to build national capacity in sustainable fisheries management.
• Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance Accredited qualification programme delivered in partnership with the University of the South Pacific (USP Pacific TAFE), targeting fisheries officers, compliance officers and maritime enforcement personnel from across the 17 FFA member countries.
• Diploma in Fisheries Investigation and Prosecution Programme strengthening fisheries investigation and prosecution skills for compliance and enforcement personnel across the FFA region, delivered in partnership with USP Pacific TAFE.
• US Multilateral Treaty Administration Administration and implementation support for the 1987 Treaty on Fisheries between the United States and 17 Pacific Island Parties, including management of the purse seine regional licence, licence payments, Project Development Fund, and fisheries data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Western and Central Pacific Ocean accounts for 54% of world's tuna catch, with estimated value of US$9.9 billion
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• United States GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987The 1987 Treaty on Fisheries (South Pacific Tuna Treaty) between the US and 17 Pacific Island Parties is administered by FFA. The US delivers annual Economic Assistance payments (US$60 million in 2026; total US$180 million over three payments under current agreement). FFA Director-General serves as Treaty Administrator. Treaty consultations are held annually.
• Pacific Community (SPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFA collaborates closely with SPC as a critical CROP (Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific) partner. SPC is the Executing Entity for the Green Climate Fund Regional Tuna Programme (FP259), working with FFA and CSIRO. FFA and SPC maintain a strong professional relationship for data access, tools, and coordinated regional MCS efforts. SPC also co-hosts WCPFC meetings and participates in the PEUMP programme.
• Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCPFC is the central decision-making body for management of tuna fishing in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, accounting for 54% of world tuna catch. FFA supports its 17 members to establish and maintain their rights in WCPFC fisheries, ensure sustainable tuna stocks, prepare science-based briefings, and develop management frameworks. FFA advisors maintain relationships between FFA members and WCPFC.
• Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFA works very closely with PNAO to ensure agreed policies are cohesive and well-articulated, and provides technical support for PNAO's activities. PNAO is a sub-regional arrangement of tuna-fishing nations within FFA's membership.
• Pacific Islands Forum SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFA is part of the Pacific Islands Forum family. The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) holds annual leaders retreats where FFA-related fisheries matters are discussed. FFA serves the Forum Fisheries Committee which is a specialised committee of the Pacific Islands Forum.
• University of the South Pacific (USP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFFA partners with USP (specifically USP Pacific TAFE) to deliver the Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance programme. FFA also opened nominations for the Diploma in Fisheries Investigation and Prosecution programme. FFA scholarships cover tuition fees, travel, accommodation, and daily subsistence allowances for programme participants.
• Australia-France-New Zealand-US (QUADs) Defence PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe QUADs partners — Australia, France, New Zealand, and the United States — share joint and combined operational plans across the south-west Pacific with FFA coordination. QUADs partners provide defence force assets and personnel (including secondments to RFSC), support Operations Rai Balang, Tui Moana, Island Chief, and Kuru Kuru, and provide advice on managing RSP and VMS.
• Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement PartiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFA administers the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement, which facilitates bilateral and multilateral cooperative monitoring and surveillance between parties. FFA supports active participation, resource sharing, and fisheries information exchange under the agreement.
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSIRO is a technical partner in the Green Climate Fund Regional Tuna Programme (FP259), working with SPC and FFA. CSIRO contributes climate science expertise for the Advanced Warning System on tuna redistribution.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP and FFA released a major report documenting two decades of transformative work in tuna fisheries management (June 2026). The report covers collaboration between scientists, government officials, fisheries workers, NGOs, and international development partners.
• Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAFMA cooperates with FFA on MCS training and enforcement operations. AFMA personnel jointly delivered DSBI training for Tuvalu with FFA, NZ MPI, and Tuvalu Government under the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement.
• New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNZ MPI cooperates with FFA on MCS training and enforcement operations. NZ MPI jointly delivered DSBI training for Tuvalu and provides seconded officials to the RFSC for surveillance operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT): A smaller RFMO focused on a single highly migratory tuna species. Comparable in governance model (member-driven, science-based, quota management) though narrower in species and geography.
• Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA): Australia's national fisheries management authority — an FFA member. AFMA cooperates with FFA on MCS training and enforcement operations (e.g., DSBI for Tuvalu), making it a national-level peer in fisheries compliance and MCS.
• Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (SPC) Oceanic Fisheries Programme: SPC's Oceanic Fisheries Programme provides scientific and data services on the same tuna stocks that FFA manages politically. A direct functional peer within the CROP architecture, supporting overlapping membership with overlapping mandate.

Broad incumbents

• NOAA Fisheries: The US federal agency responsible for fisheries management and a signatory/funder of the 1987 Treaty administered by FFA. Comparable as a national fisheries administration operating at scale with science, MCS, and treaty functions.
• Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC): An RFMO responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine resources in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Comparable to WCPFC/FFA in mandate (tuna RFMO), though operating in a different geography with different member states.
• Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC): An RFMO managing tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean, analogous to WCPFC. Functions as a regional peer in tuna science, management frameworks, and IUU combat, though serving a different ocean basin and member set.

Direct peers

• Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC): The central decision-making RFMO for tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, where FFA members collectively account for 54% of global tuna catch. FFA supports and influences WCPFC outcomes on behalf of its members, making it the most directly comparable peer organization in regional tuna governance.
• Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: The umbrella intergovernmental organization of which FFA is a specialised agency (via the Forum Fisheries Committee). Operates at a broader political/development mandate over the same 17 Pacific Island members.
• Pacific Community (SPC): A Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) partner of FFA, jointly executing the GCF FP259 programme and co-hosting WCPFC sessions. SPC delivers complementary science, data, and oceanic fisheries services across the same Pacific membership.
• Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO): A sub-regional arrangement of Pacific tuna-fishing nations and FFA's closest sub-regional counterpart. PNAO manages the Vessel Day Scheme and purse-seine licensing that FFA's members operate under, making it a direct functional peer in tuna fisheries governance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TunaFFA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FFAtuna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-islands-forum-fisheries-agency-ffa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency