SALOME V. TAUFA
Suva,Fiji
Summary
Seasoned resource economist with great passion towards improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of the Pacific people. Good advocate for well informed and evidence-based policies that are contextualized to the Pacific context to ensure relevancy and impactfulness.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Programme Adviser Economics
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva
03.2019 - Current
- As team leader for the Blue Economy Team (formerly Fisheries Team), lead the Secretariat's support to its 18 Member countries in harnessing their benefits from the blue economy. I was instrumental in ensuring that harnessing the blue and green economies are reflected in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
- Successfully mobilised resources to support the exploration of a more coordinated approach to blue economy works in the Pacific. Successfully developed knowledge products on gaps and opportunities for blue economy in the Pacific.
- Provide expert economic policy advise on issues relating to governance, management and development of Pacific's resources with a focus on its largest shared resource, fisheries, which is a key priority for the Forum Leaders.
- Led the development of the East New Britain Initiatives (ENBi), an Initiative endorsed by Fisheries Ministers to increase their economic returns from their fisheries. This Initiative was endorsed by Forum Leaders at their meeting in 2023.
- Member of the core team in collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC) that implemented the Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP) which led to the publication of the first country ocean profile in the Pacific.
- Lead the convening and support to the Pacific Economic Sub-Committee Meetings and the Economic Ministers meetings. This is a key decision making platform on all economic and finance related issues in the Pacific which then determines the economic priorities for the Forum Leaders, including fisheries.
- Built strong relationships with regional partners including the OPOC, Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Pacific Community (SPC), South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and University of the South Pacific (USP). I also lead the team's engagement with international partners including the UNDP, UNESCAP, World Bank, ADB, and NGOs.
Lecturer in Ocean Resources Management
University of the South Pacific
Suva
07.2016 - 03.2019
- Coordinated undergraduate and graduate courses under the Marine Management Programme including Marine Resource Economics and Principles of Integrated Coastal-Zone Management
- Build partnerships with academic institutions including the University of Wollongong (Australia), Duke University (USA), University of Iceland. This allowed students to have access to resources outside of USP including student exchange programs, and access to teaching materials and other faculty support.
- Published research papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals.
Fisheries Policy Advisor (Consultant)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
New Zealand
11.2017 - 05.2019
- In support of the implementation of the Fisheries Sector Plan for Tonga, developed the Tonga Investment Framework and the Tonga Foreign Investment Policy on Fisheries and Related Industries which were endorsed by Cabinet.
- Successfully conducted consultations to gain understanding and support to adopt rights based fisheries management approach to improve the economic benefits of communities from fisheries.
Co-founder and Member
Pacific Catalyst
10.2016 - Current
- Pacific Catalyst is a think tank aimed at empowering leadership and learning for the future of fisheries. The think tank comprises of fisheries experts from the region and the around the world and provide support to the Pacific Island countries.
- Provided policy advise to support Fiji's effort to increase their economic benefits from their tuna resources.
- Published analytical reports on various policy options to be considered to improve fisheries management and development.
- Provided internship opportunities to young and emerging leaders in fisheries management and development. This paved the way for them to attain scholarships to further their education and opened up opportunities to partner with regional partners to support their research.
Principal Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Fisheries
Tonga
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Headed the Economic Policy Division of the Ministry and led the development of knowledge products including the Quarterly Reports containing production levels and exports of key fisheries products.
- Led the analysis and development of recommended policy options that saw drastic increase in the Government revenues from fisheries.
- Lead the national efforts in the development of the first Fisheries Sector Plan. The Sector Plan was endorsed by Cabinet and have mobilised resources that improved works around fisheries investment and infrastructure.
- Co-authored the first National Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation for Tonga. This report led to the formation of the Ocean's Five in Tonga, a multi-sectoral platform that supports the ocean policy development in Tonga.
- Lead a national team in conducting the largest socio-economic survey in the Fanga'uta Lagoon in Tonga which successfully led to policy changes that saw improvements in the lives of 20 plus communities along the lagoon.
- Provided expert guidance and policy advise on the development of various fisheries management plans including the tuna, snapper, seaweed, and aquaculture management plans.
- Lead the collaboration with line ministries including the Department of Environment and the Department Natural Resources, in ensuring coherence in the national initiatives and interventions.
Attachment at SPC
Pacific Community
02.2016 - 03.2016
- Undertook cost-benefit analysis and other economic analysis to support the development of the Tonga Aquaculture Management Plans. Central to this analysis was the determination of feasible designated harvesting areas for aquaculture in Tonga.
Research and Teaching Assistant
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Supported in the supervision of undergraduate students and provided guidance to the graduate students in their research projects.
- Reviewed research papers that were later published in peer reviewed journals.
- Supported the field trips and site visits with research students
Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forestry and Fisheries
01.2005 - 01.2014
- Compiled the first Statistical Report for the Ministry of Fisheries
- Conducted data analysis and developed the first Quarterly Reports for the Ministry
- Lead the effort in working with the Statistics Department to improve the reporting of fisheries data in the national statistical reports
- Guided the development of databases in the Ministry of Fisheries which led to the development of a system that is being utilized now improved data management and analysis
- Attachment with the Forum Fisheries Agency and undertook analysis of the distribution systems for fresh tuna from the Pacific Island countries.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
2014
Masters of Science - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
2011
Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Management
University of the South Pacific
2005
Skills
- Marine resource economics
- Strategic development and planning
- Pacific Region Policy development
- Economic policy (macro and micro economics)
- Fisheries economics
- Rights-based fisheries management
- Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)
- Ecosystem goods and services (EGS) valuation
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Affiliations
- Member of the International Science Council's Small Islands Developing States Liaison Committee
- Member of the core team in charge of developing the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Pacific Islands Forum
- Organising member of the COVID19 Economic Recovery Taskforce, Pacific Islands Forum
- Member of the Regional Program Committee, Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum
- Member of the GEF Pacific Ridge to Reef Regional Science and Technical Committee, SPC
- Program Advisory Committee member, University of the South Pacific's School of Marine Studies
- Founding partner of the Pacific Catalyst
- Member of the Tonga National Trade Negotiation Committee
- Chairperson for the Pacific Island Researchers Forum
- President of the Kagoshima University Foreign Students Association
- Member of the Pacific Island Researchers Forum
References
1. Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen
Director General
Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)
Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Email: manu.tupou-roosen@ffa.int
Phone: (677) 21 124
2. Mr. Esala Nayasi
Deputy Secretary General
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva, Fiji.
Email: esala.nayasi@forumsec.org
Phone: (679) 3312600
3. Dr. John Virdin
Director for Ocean and Coastal Policy Program
Nicholas Institute for Environment
Duke University, USA.
Email: john.virdin@duke.edu
Timeline
Programme Adviser Economics
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
03.2019 - Current
Fisheries Policy Advisor (Consultant)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
11.2017 - 05.2019
Co-founder and Member
Pacific Catalyst
10.2016 - Current
Lecturer in Ocean Resources Management
University of the South Pacific
07.2016 - 03.2019
Attachment at SPC
Pacific Community
02.2016 - 03.2016
Principal Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Fisheries
04.2014 - 07.2016
Research and Teaching Assistant
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University
01.2011 - 01.2014
Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forestry and Fisheries
01.2005 - 01.2014
Doctorate of Philosophy - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
Masters of Science - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Management
University of the South Pacific
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