Tonga to Launch National Ocean Policy in 2026

Prime Minister Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua announced at the Melanesian Ocean Summit that Tonga will launch its first National Ocean Policy this year. The policy aims to implement the Ocean Management Act of 2025, setting a ten-year vision with targets of 30% protection and 100% sustainable management of Tonga's waters. Fakafanua emphasized valuing ecosystems while they are alive and thriving, highlighting whales as central to this vision. He also stressed the importance of regional cooperation to secure a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous blue Pacific for future generations.