BCN: Dr. Josie Tamate, first from Polynesia to chair the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission

Dr. Josie Tamate (right) with Minister Mona Ainuu as the new Chair of the WCPFC at its meeting in Vietnam last week Source: TV Niue

Dr. Josie Tamate is the first Polynesian to chair the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission (WCPFC) since its establishment in 2004.

Dr. Josie Tamate, the Niue government’s Director General of the Ministry of Natural Resources was unanimously elected unopposed at the last meeting of the Commission held in Vietnam last week.

Niue’s delegation at the meeting of the Commission was led by the Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Esa Mona Ainuu included Dr. Josie Tamate, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Poi Okesene, and Principal Fisheries Officer Launoa Gataua.

Waiting in Auckland for Premier Dalton Tagelagi to fly to Montreal, Canada for another high-level Biodiversity convention meeting, Dr. Tamate was able to speak to BCN News via zoom about her new role.

“I am humbled and privileged to be elected into this role. It comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations. Like they say, you gotta keep challenging yourself to see the best that you can do.”

The full story can be found at TV Niue, along with other stories from Niue and around the Pacific.