After a longliner fishing company delivered tuna to Tanna for local consumption during the National Arts Festival, someone posted these powerful questions on YTS — raising an issue that matters deeply to us all:
As people of the islands, the ocean is our lifeline. But when it comes to our tuna — especially those big catches taken from our waters — we have to ask: Who really benefits?
Here are the questions many ni-Vanuatu are now asking out loud.
1. Who owns the locally based longliners?
Are these boats ni-Vanuatu owned, or are they foreign investments hiding under our flag?
Truth is, most of the so-called “locally-based” longliners operating in our waters are foreign-owned, often by investors from Taiwan or China. They register under the Vanuatu flag for access, but the ownership — and the profits — mostly stay offshore. A few may have joint ventures with ni-Vanuatu partners, but fully locally owned longliners are still very rare due to the high costs of entry.
2. Where do the catches go every day?
Are they offloading at the Tuna Factory at Blacksands? Or is everything sent off to Fiji, Taiwan, or even further?
While some catches do land at Blacksands — if the factory is operational — the majority are exported straight to other countries, especially Fiji, Taiwan, or Japan. If the fish is high-value, it’s quickly snapped up for overseas markets. And when the boats are foreign-owned, they’re just passing through with our resources.
3. Is the Tuna Factory at Blacksands even working? And when will we see Vanuatu-made canned tuna?
That dream of seeing “Vanuatu Made” tuna in a can — fish caught in our waters, processed on our shores, feeding our people and creating jobs — still feels far away.
The tuna factory at Blacksands has struggled with shutdowns and operational issues. Yes, we keep hearing about potential, but there’s still no consistent local tuna product on our shelves. Until real investment, political will, and infrastructure meet — this dream stays a flower blo toktok nomo.
4. Why are ships flying the Vanuatu flag docking their catches in Fiji?
What’s the use of a Vanuatu flag if the benefits don’t stay here?
Many vessels use our flag as a business convenience, not out of loyalty to the country. And without strict landing requirements, fish caught in our waters is docked elsewhere, processed elsewhere, and profit flows overseas. Unless the government steps up with strong, enforceable policies — our saltwater feeds someone else’s economy.
5. Is all this just for show — or is there a long-term plan?
We recently saw big catches brought to Tanna during PSC Day. It felt promising. But will it last?
If it’s just for the photo op, we go back to square one. But if the Ministry of Fisheries & Biosecurity is serious about sustainability and sovereignty, then this moment must be the start of something real.
We need:
- Local processing jobs.
- Vanuatu-made tuna on our shelves.
- Clear rules on who can fish, and who must land locally.
- Transparency and public accountability.
Let’s not waste another opportunity.
We hope the government, the Ministry, and investors understand this: The marine resources of Vanuatu belong to the people of Vanuatu. Every policy, every permit, and every fishing license must answer this: How does this benefit the people — not just today, but for the future?
We don’t want ceremonies. We want continuity. We don’t want a flag. We want fairness.
It’s time our tuna starts working for us.
✍️ If you have thoughts, stories, or photos from your community, share them — because the ocean doesn’t just belong to policymakers, it belongs to every man, woman, and child who calls Vanuatu home.
Mattdotvu 
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