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The Fisheries Department of the MAFFF is responsible for conservation, management, licensing, and development of fisheries resources. The Tonga Defense Services provides surveillance support and the Crown Law Department handles fisheries prosecutions. (…)

For tuna long-line fishery, the Tonga National Tuna Management and Development Plan 2012-2015 establishes a total allowable catch of 8,000 tonnes annually for all tuna species. In practice, the quota has not been exhausted, with an annual tuna catch in the range of 600 to 1,900 tonnes in 2008-12. Most tuna is exported fresh or chilled to the United States (including American Samoa), Japan, and New Zealand.

Business activities requiring the fulfilment of additional conditions:
Activity: Services involving the use of gases
Additional requirement: Letter of approval from the Department of Environment

Tonga uses Chapter 98 of its Customs Tariff to detail tariff exemptions. Duty-free treatment applies to imported goods for the use of (…) marine life-saving equipment; (…)

Tonga's intellectual property laws and regulations:
Geographical indications
Relevant legislation: Protection of Geographical Indications Act 2002 (Act No. 17 of 2002)
Brief description: The Act is designed to provide a system of protection for geographical indications that is uncomplicated and in compliance with international obligations. Geographical indications are applied to natural and agricultural products and to the products of handicraft and industry such as wood, sugar, fruit, wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, textile goods, and woven goods.

The sector is currently small, contributing only 1% of GDP. Exploitation of seabed minerals and hydrocarbons has been identified as an area for possible future activity, with commercial exploration already underway. Government is currently working on a Seabed Minerals Bill in order to provide an appropriate legal framework. The Bill will incorporate procedures for environmental impact and safeguards.

Tonga has limited fresh water resources, primarily in the form of groundwater. In rural areas, the population relies mainly on collection of rain water. Rainfall is variable, depending on El Niño climate patterns and cyclones, with an annual average of 2,500 mm, and 1,800 mm in the capital of Nuku'alofa.

Nine key strategies and actions have been identified in the TTSR, with a view to realising the potential of the tourism sector. These include:
(…)
• Improvements in land use, planning and environmental management.

Tonga has signed and ratified the Pacific Islands Air Services Agreement (PIASA), which entered into force on 13 October 2007. The aim of PIASA is to gradually integrate the aviation services of the Pacific island states in a way that supports sustainable development. (…)

In the Doha Round, Tonga has expressed an interest in the negotiations to impose disciplines on fisheries subsidies and, together with its African, Caribbean, and Pacific Island (ACP) partners, Tonga is a "W52 Sponsor".[9] (…)