Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 04 February 2026 – Last week, senior officials from across the Blue Pacific gathered in Rarotonga to convene the 28th South Pacific Group (SPG) Meeting.
The SPG, a sub-group of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), was established to deepen regional cooperation on South Pacific Albacore, uniting countries with shared stakes in Southern longline fisheries. Comprising the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, and Tonga, the SPG works collectively to strengthen fisheries management, safeguard food security, boost economic returns, and secure the sustainability of one of the region’s most vital natural resources.
Discussions at the SPG meeting focused on efforts to advance the operationalisation of the Management Procedure for South Pacific Albacore and coordinating shared priorities for the year ahead. The SPG meeting also took the liberty of meeting with territories in the South Pacific region including American Samoa, French Polynesia, and New Caledonia to strengthen ties, promote information sharing and identify opportunities for further cooperation.
Senior Foreign Service Officer Eden Brown represented the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration on the Cook Islands delegation, led by Secretary of Marine Resources Pamela Maru.
Reflecting on the SPG meeting, Mr Brown said, “Our Participation in technical forums like the SPG, sheds light on the complex considerations behind sustainable fisheries management. The team at MMR does excellent work in leading our technical and policy efforts for fisheries, while providing Foreign Affairs with the evidence and strategic direction for effective political engagement and advocacy. Together, these contributions ensure the Cook Islands collaboration with partners and multilateral organisations contributes directly to the outcomes of our national sustainable development agenda”.
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