Commercial Fishing & Seafood Industry Contacts
- Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Government Contacts & Information Resources for
Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

 

The Micronesian Fisheries Authority responsibilities range from conservation, management and development of the tuna resources within the FSM EEZ, to representing the National Government on fishing agreements with foreign nations.

 

Purse-seine, Longline for sashimi grade tuna also Reef Fish, Trochus

 

Commercial Fisheries in the Federated States of Micronesia - The National Fisheries Corporation (NFC) is a public corporation established by the FSM Government in 1984. The aim of the corporation is to develop and promote a profitable and long-term commercial fishery within the FSM. In addition to the National Fisheries Corporation's own industry development programs the corporation works closely with the individual states in joint fishery projects.

Marine Resources - Commercial Fishing

The two most important fish resources in the FSM are tuna and bottom fish. Annually in excess of 150,000 tonnes of tuna is harvested within the FSM.

The tuna fishery can be divided into two major groups:

purse seine fishery- which targets its operations at surface schooling fish such as Skipjack and small Yellowfin tuna.
long-line fishery - which targets its operations at deep-water species such as Yellowfin and Big-eye tuna.

A commercial fishery for bottom fish is being developed within the FSM and the target species for this group are:

Deep-water Snapper (Fam. Lutjanidae)
Deep-water Grouper (Fam. Serranidae)

The locally operated commercial fishery within the FSM includes more than 50 smaller vessels utilizing long-line, pole-and-line and bottom fishing methods. The vessels range in size from 1.5 - 30 tonnes and are all fitted with modern equipment.

Fishing is traditionally a way of life in the FSM and fishermen now are being well trained in modern methods of fishing, fish handling and quality control procedures.

Scientific Name	Marketing Name	Japanese Name
Thunnus albacares	Yellowfin Tuna	Kihada
Thunnus obesus	Big-eye Tuna	Mebachi
Katsuwonus pelamis	Skipjack Tuna	Katsuo
Caranx lugubris	Black Jack	Kappore
Seriola rivoliana	Amberjack	Hirenaga-kanpachi
Lutjanus bohar	Red Snapper	Barafuedai
Plectropoma laevis	Rock Cod	Sujiara
Etelis coruscans	Onaga	Hamadai
Etelis carbunculus	Ehu	Hachijyo-akamatsu
Pristipomoides flavipinnis	Opakapaka	Kimme fuedai
Aphareus rutilans	Lehi	Ohguchi-ishichibiki
Aprion virescens	Uku	Aochibiki
Coryphaena hippurus	Mahi Mahi	Shiira
Acanthocybium solandri	Wahoo (Ono)	Kamasusawara (Okikamasu)

 

National Oceanic Resource Management Authority of Micronesia - The Authority, initially named Micronesian Maritime Authority (MMA), was established in Public Law (PL) 6-11 and began operation on January 1, 1979.  The mandate of the Authority was to manage, conserve and manage FSM's living marine resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

NORMA Licencing Procedures - How to gain fishing access to the Exclusive Economic Zone or Fishery Waters of the Federated States of Micronesia.

 

Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association - With its membership covering 14 Pacific Island countries and several national industry associations, the Pacific Islands Tuna Industry Association (PITIA) provides information and services to its members to encourage information and engagement of industry in key policy decisions affecting their businesses. Specific objectives of PITIA, as laid out in the Founding Agreement of 2004, include: Provide a united voice for the Forum Island Countries’ domestic tuna fishing and associated industries. Facilitate and encourage the promotion of the economically and biologically sustainable use of tuna and tuna-related resources by Forum Island Countries’ domestic tuna fishing and associated industries in the region. Undertake, co-ordinate and promote liaison and negotiations with national, regional and international bodies and other entities having an interest in or an effect on the fishing or associated industries of the Forum Island Countries.

 

Micronesia Business Directory - is an online directory of businesses in Micronesia, and especially in Chuuk, CNMI, Guam, Kosrae, Palau, RMI, and Yap. The directory is great for consumers who are looking for services and products. It is also wonderful for businesses who aim to develop better B2C and B2B engagements. We encourage businesses in Micronesia to list their business in the directory. The Micronesia Business Directory is managed by The University of Guam Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center Network (PISBDCN).

 

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission - Commission for the Conservation and Management  of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the  Western and Central Pacific Ocean

 

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Micronesia - aquatic species caught by country or area, by species items, by FAO major fishing areas, and year, for all commercial, industrial, recreational and subsistence purposes. The harvest from mariculture, aquaculture and other kinds of fish farming is also included.

 

Ocean Health Index Micronesia - The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems. The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and partnerships between organizations including the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium. Information for Micronesia

 

Information on Fisheries Management in Micronesia - Including map, tuna landing places, offshore tuna fishing.

 

Forum Fisheries Agency - The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) is based in Honiara, Solomon Islands and comprises 17 member governments. It was established in August 1979 to help countries manage their fishery resources that fall within their 200 mile exclusive economic zones. The founding document of the Agency is the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention.

 

Dept. Economic Affairs - Investment in Fishing in FS Micronesia - SM has in recent years earned $18-24 million annually in licensing fees paid by foreign vessels for tuna fishing in the FSM’s Exclusive Economic Zone. More recently, additional earnings have begun to grow as private sector long-lining companies have been established in Pohnpei, and state-owned fishing corporations (such as Pohnpei Fishing Corporation and the Yap Fishing Corporation) have initiated their own fishing operations together with onshore processing. Direct exports of sashimi-grade fresh tuna by air to Japan account for increasing traffic at the airports, and a dedicated air freight service from all the FSM states is managed by the government-owned National Fisheries Corporation (NFC). Because of the extensive coral reefs and lagoons, mariculture and aquaculture is seen as a feature industry in the FSM, including farming of giant clams, eucheuma seaweed, sponges, pearls, green snails, trochus, milkfish and other species. Investment into this marine resource base is strongly encouraged to boost the economy.