Fiji, Sept. 2 -- Solomon Islands Foreign Minister and head of delegation Rick Houenipwela has called on development partners and philanthropic organisations to help fund a new Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC), warning that Pacific countries cannot protect their vast ocean and fisheries resources alone.

Speaking at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) side event, "Securing Our Blue Pacific: Integrated Monitoring, Control and Surveillance and the Future of the Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre," Houenipwela said the centre needed more space, modern equipment and additional investment in Pacific expertise to meet growing threats.

"The centre needs more space. They need space to expand, equipment to modernise and people to hav...