Tonga is among 14 Pacific nations to receive a US$107 million Green Climate Fund (GCF) grant to safeguard their tuna industries from climate change impacts.
Announced at the Honiara Summit 2025, the funding—one of the largest ever to the Pacific region—was secured by Conservation International and the Pacific Community (SPC). An additional US$49.3 million in co-financing brings the total program value to US$156.8 million.
The grant will support adaptation measures to ensure the economic and social benefits of tuna fisheries continue. Tonga, along with the other Pacific nations, manages one-third of the world’s tuna catch, a resource critical to food security and government revenue.
“This landmark funding ensures our communities can continue relying on tuna as an essential source of food, revenue, and cultural value,” said Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Mona Ainu’u.
SPC research warns that ocean warming could push tuna stocks into international waters, potentially reducing Pacific nations’ tuna catch by 10–30% by 2050—an economic loss of up to US$140 million annually.
The GCF-funded initiative will help implement solutions such as Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to sustain tuna availability, protect livelihoods, and strengthen the region’s resilience to climate change.
