The catch in trading fishing access for foreign aid

Abstract

The Pacific island countries depend heavily on bilateral aid. Much of this aid is provided by distant water fishing nations in exchange for cheap access to the Western and Central Pacific tuna fishery. Japan access fees (approximately US$8 million) are comparable to about 5 percent of Japanese aid to the region (approximately US$150 million). If access fees were maximized, there is potential for the access fees to match, possibly double, total Japanese aid to the region. It is argued that aid dependency is decreasing the transparency of fishing treaties, decreasing the flexibility of government spending, exposing the Pacific island countries to large financial risks associated with possible aid withdrawal, and stifling the region’s own efforts for fisheries and broader economic