External Meetings

Meetings attended by SPRFMO Secretariat staff and officials during 2026:

FAO Workshop on strengthening fisheries communications, engagement, and outreach (Rome, Italy, 17–19 June 2026). The Coordination and Communications Officer participated in the FAO/Common Oceans DSF Project workshop "Strengthening the strategic vision for fisheries communications, engagement and outreach, in relation to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)", held at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 17–19 June 2026. The workshop brought together representatives from regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), international organisations and other invited participants to exchange experiences and identify opportunities to strengthen communications on the contribution of RFMOs to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in ABNJ. The workshop included discussions on the international policy framework relevant to marine biodiversity, examples of RFMO actions supporting biodiversity conservation, current communications and outreach practices, and future approaches to improving stakeholder engagement and public messaging. During the workshop, the Secretariat contributed to discussions on the role of communications in supporting transparency and demonstrating the outcomes of RFMO conservation and management measures. Drawing on SPRFMO's experience, the Secretariat highlighted the Organisation's approach of providing timely and accessible publication of decisions, scientific outputs and supporting documentation through its website, while maintaining a neutral, factual, and Member-driven communications approach. The Secretariat also shared perspectives on the challenges faced by smaller Secretariats in balancing transparency, technical accuracy, and resource constraints. The report of the workshop is under development by the FAO/Common Oceans Deep-sea Fisheries Project.
OECD Committee on Fisheries climate change workshop (virtual, 21 April): The Executive Secretary participated in an OECD COFI workshop on how targeted public funding can help the fisheries and aquaculture sectors adapt to climate change and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The presentation provided a SPRFMO perspective on the question of ‘How can governance and decision-making adapt in the face of climate-induced changes in fish migration and transboundary abundance?’, drawing on the SPRFMO climate change Decision (13-2023) and SPRFMO’s fisheries management framework especially for jack mackerel (CMM 01). Other presenters included the OECD, ICES and France, considering government support options, fisheries management advice implications and facilitating an equitable energy transition in fisheries.
Pan-Pacific Fisheries Compliance Network (PPFCN): The PPFCN is an informal group of RFMO Compliance Officers supported logistically by the IMCS Network to foster better networking among RFMO colleagues in the Pacific. The group convenes virtually for ∼90-minute sessions several times per year for general discussion and exchange on topics of mutual interest. The Compliance Manager is the principal SPRFMO participant, supported by the Data Manager. The 2026 virtual meetings of the PPFCN were held on: 17 March,
FAO Deep-Sea Fisheries Project - 3rd project steering committee meeting (Tokyo, 17-19 March 2026): The Executive Secretary participated in this Deep-Sea Fisheries project steering committee meeting held at the NPFC HQ. The agenda included a general project progress update as well as "Output-specific" updates and technical discussions on Governance, Decision Making, Science based advice, and impacts on VMEs and sharks. Other agenda items included discussion on maximizing project impact and prioritization of activities, cross-sectoral interactions and frameworks, linkages to the Common Oceans Program, and review and approval of the annual budget and workplan.
IMCS Network General Membership Meeting (Virtual, 16 January 2026): The Compliance and Data Managers participated in this 1.5 hour virtual meeting led by Network Chair Gary Orr and Executive Director Sarah Lenel. Updates were presented on Network achievements and activities from 2025, a new Operational Framework was provided for feedback, and an update was given on the planning for the next (3-7 August 2026) GFETW. Meeting participants where provided an opportunity to comment on past engagement and suggest areas for future collaboration where the IMCS Network could be of assistance and support. (Reference: General Membership Meeting Report; IMCS Operational Framework 2026).

For information about the external meetings attended by staff and officials in previous years, please check the list below: