Department Of Agriculture Forestry And Fisheries Niue
Niue is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) northeast of New Zealand, east of Tonga, south of Samoa, and west of the Cook Islands. Niue’s land area is about 261 square kilometres (101 sq mi) and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 in 2016. The island is commonly referred to as “The Rock”, which comes from the traditional name “Rock of Polynesia”. Niue is one of the world’s largest coral islands. The terrain consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 metres above sea level.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Niue (DAFF)
Fonuakula, Alofi
Niue
Key contacts are Mr Brendon Pasisi (Director) , and Mr James Tafatu (Principal Fisheries Officer)
Key Pelagic Fisheries
Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi , billfish.
Key Fisheries (other)
Deepsea Snapper, cods, trevally, crustaceans, clams, sea cucumber, and shellfish.
Size of EEZ
470,000 square kilometers
Wharf
Open roadstead port – pictured below
Development objectives
Fisheries is recognised within the Niue National Strategic Plan (NNSP) as a key sector and natural resource that offers significant economic development opportunities for Niue. Niue wishes to increase returns from the fisheries resource in a sustainable and responsible manner and these objectives are prominently reflected within the national development pillars, goals and objectives of the NNSP.
Development opportunities
- Long line Licensing – currently Niue will allow up to 20-30 licenses for domestic and/or foreign vessels fishing under access arrangement/license. Fees are set according to license fee regulations.
- Niue Fish Processors – Tuna Processing facility (HACCP/EU standards) currently available for investment interest. Maximum facility capacity ~ 4000-6000mt/year.
- Major interest in small boat harbour development, on-going engineering assessments underway
Picture of the Tuna Processing Facility below
Fisheries Development and Management Frameworks
Fisheries development and management is currently governed under fisheries legislation, licensing and policy frameworks including:
- Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zones Act 1996
- Domestic Fishing Act 1995
- Domestic Fishing Regulations 1996
- Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone License (Fees) Regulations 2010.
The management and development of pelagic fisheries (tuna and associated species) will be guided by a new “Niue Pelagic Management and Development plan (2012).
This plan defines the management and development of commercial tuna fisheries by purse seine, long line, troll and pole and line methods and how these interact and can be integrated with subsistence and recreational fishing from canoes and dingy’s.
The objective of the plan is to allow for the management and development of the fishery resource while acknowledging he significance this plays to tourism and tourism’s importance to the economy of Niue.
The overall thrust of the plan is to take an Ecosystem based approach to fisheries management (EAFM) that has a broader focus than simply that on the sustainability of target species and takes into consideration the interactions that the fishery has on other sectors and the wider ecosystem.