May 3, 2024 – Majuro, Marshall Islands – H.E. President Heine officially declared the commencement of World Tuna Day 2024 in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) on May 3, 2024. This auspicious occasion, celebrated in quintessential Marshall Islands style, marks a significant recognition of the vital role tuna plays as one of the nation’s most prized resources.
Hosted by the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA) and partners, the event underscores the profound importance of tuna to the RMI and its people. As the nation continues its Constitution Day festivities, President Heine emphasized the significance of honoring not only the nation’s founding principles but also its invaluable oceanic resources.
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H.E. PRESIDENT HILDA C. HEINE OPENING REMARKS
Iokwe Aolep!
Firstly, let me join our pastor in thanking our heavenly father for the many blessings for our gathering here today. It is really wonderful to see so many people here in Delap Park today for the RMI version of World Tuna Day 2024.
Before I begin my short remarks, I would like to acknowledge:
Our traditional leaders
Leroij Esther Zedkaia im Alap eo an bwirej in
Cabinet members
Speaker, vice speaker im ro uaan Nitijela eo
Judiciary eo
Diplomatic corps eo
Local governments ko
Distinguished guests, colleagues, friends, ladies, and gentlemen.
It is an honor for me to be here today, and I am delighted with the program, as it started earlier today with the Fisheries Career Day. As you all know, this has been a week of celebrations. Firstly, we celebrated our 45th Constitution Day, which culminates in the community coming together at the new Olympic grounds on last Wednesday of this week. The Constitution Day celebration is really about our nation, our people, the number one resource as a Nation.
In the Preamble of our Constitution, and I quote: “WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, trusting in God, the Giver of our life, liberty, identity and our inherent rights, do hereby exercise these rights and establish for ourselves and generations to come this Constitution, setting forth the legitimate legal framework for the governance of the Republic.” End quote.
And so as we continue this week with the celebrations, it is very much fitting that we also celebrate our other important resources – that which is from the oceans, and on this occasion, the Tuna resources. Because immediately after the first line recognizing our people in the constitution, is the following, and I quote:
“We have reason to be proud of our forefathers who boldly ventured across the unknown waters of the vast Pacific Ocean many centuries ago, ably responding to the constant challenges of maintaining a bare existence on these tiny islands, in their noble quest to build their own distinctive society.”
And it goes on to say…
“All we have and are today as a people, we have received as a sacred heritage which we pledge ourselves to safeguard and maintain, valuing nothing more dearly than our rightful home on the islands within the traditional boundaries of this archipelago.” End quote.
This is the direct link between our people and the oceans that surrounds us – it binds and connects our heritage, culture and traditions with the Ocean and its resources. So, it is not a coincidence that we take a pause, reflect and celebrate our Oceans Resources.
The Tuna Resources is indeed a blessing for the Marshall Islands and the people of the Pacific. The challenges in managing the Tuna Resource as a nation, truly is a reward on a regional front, through the imposition of the hard limit on fishing, 100% observer coverage, Vessel monitoring system, port state measures, and many more.
So there is plenty reasons to celebrate world tuna day, but more importantly, celebrate our endurance, resilience and perseverance past, present and future. I am aware of the many festivities taking shape in the Pacific for World Tuna Day. For our part here in the Marshall Islands, I would like to acknowledge the good work of MIMRA, our partners in this event, The PNA Office, The Forum Fisheries Agency, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Pan Pacific Foods, Koos Fishing Company, Marshall Islands Fishing Venture, Pacific Islands Tuna, World Bank, FISH4ACP, and most importantly, everyone here and on live stream for this event.
It gives me great pleasure to now declare World Tuna 2024, Marshall Islands style – OPEN.
Kommol Tata im Jerammon!
