Fishing entrepreneurs from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Kiribati, Nauru and Papua New Guinea have got together in Suva to participate in the three-day Fish 2.0 workshop (November 8-10).
Fish 2.0 is a global business competition that connects seafood businesses with investors, giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to improve their business models, learn about emerging trends and technologies, win cash prizes, gain international visibility, find strategic partners and attract new investors.
Pacific Trade & Invest (PT&I), Sydney is a proud partner of Fish 2.0. “PT&I is thrilled to be supporting the return of Fish 2.0 to the Pacific. It provides the Pacific fisheries sector and seafood companies with a great opportunity to build their capacity to grow a sustainable business and connect with potential investors, partners and advisers from the US and around the globe,” Chad Morris, Manager of Investment & Tourism, PT&I Sydney said.
For many Pacific Island Countries, the ocean is a vital part of their economy and identity but the ocean is under tremendous pressure from human activity.
From rising sea levels to increasing air and ocean temperatures to shifting rainfall patterns, Pacific nations are among the most vulnerable in the world to the impacts of climate change.
At an international level the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and governments, including the United States of America are working together toward Sustainable Development Goal 14 on the ocean and the development of sustainable fishing industries to support economic growth.
To support the Pacific in developing its own sustainable fisheries industries through direct support for the private sector, in 2015 the US Government granted US$250,000 to bring the Fish 2.0 sustainable seafood business to the Pacific Islands for the first time.
“Seafood businesses hold the potential to improve global food security, ocean sustainability, and the livelihoods of local communities. But to transform the seafood industry, these businesses need capital investments to grow and take advantage of new markets,” Monica Jain, Founder of Fish 2.0 said.
Supporters of this year’s Fish 2.0 Pacific Islands workshop and competition track include the U.S. State Department, the Forum Fisheries Agency, PT&I Sydney and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). World Wildlife Fund-Pacific is the regional partner helping with logistics.
This is an opportunity for businesses to pitch their investment opportunities to potential investors. Chad Morris, PT&I Sydney Investment & Tourism Manager, is leading the project. Manuel Valdez, PT&I Auckland Head of Investments will be present at the workshop.