The 2nd Pacific Allies Observers Training Program II closed with success.

The Fisheries Agency announced that the closing ceremony of the 2nd Pacific Allies Observers Training Program was held at the Fisheries Agency Headquarters in Kaohsiung at 10:30 on August 27th. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Sha Yi-Chi, Director-General of the Fisheries Agency. Diplomatic envoys from Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Solomon were present in the ceremony. In this training program, 21 trainees were successfully certified as regional observers. The FA will forward the list of the certified observers to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

Solid training demands observers learn with a serious attitude.

The 160-hour training started from July 30th and ended on August 24th. A group of top-notch scholars and experts from domestic maritime colleges and universities offered a series of courses covering basic safety and professional observer training, as well as the WCPFC-required regional observer training courses, including reinforced skills training in sea survival and fire fighting, nautical charting, fish tagging, and measurement. These courses were targeted to enhance participants’ maritime observation skills and knowledge, and trainees were required to pass a written test for certification. The trainees who participated in this year’s program included experienced observers, government staff, and students between the ages of 19 and 44; three of them were female. They took the courses very seriously. Though they were from different countries, they organized study groups to share their learning experiences after the training.

The training program helps Taiwan promote fisheries diplomacy and cooperation with friendly Pacific nations.

The Fisheries Agency indicated that organizing the training program requires considerable manpower to arrange for the trainees’ needs in daily living, housing, transportation, and medical assistance. The Fisheries Agency expressed special thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support in funding and personnel. Through this program, we achieved successful fisheries diplomacy and resource conservation and helped Pacific nations to develop sustainable industries. At the closing ceremony, Director-General Sha Yi-Chi addressed the trainees to “apply what you have learned to good use.” Though the trainees have been certified for the basic skills required to be observers, they still need further training for hands-on experience. Therefore, the Fisheries Agency calls on far-sea tuna fishery organizations to recommend the regional observers certified by the Fisheries Agency to the industry for opportunities that will help them achieve the final goal of putting their skills to use.