Over the years, coastal fisheries have not enjoyed the political attention or funding accorded to the massive offshore tuna fishery.
RNZ reports but the heads of fisheries from 27 countries who met last week in New Caledonia have renewed their commitment to correcting this imbalance.
The assistant chief executive of Samoa's fisheries ministry, Magele Etuati Ropeti, said while it was true tuna brings in the most government revenue, the value of coastal fisheries is immeasurable.
