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4.2. (...) Initiatives for raising renewable energy sources and energy efficiency helped reduce the dependency level on petroleum imports to meet energy needs. (...)

4.6. (...) Agriculture remains largely based on traditional/subsistence farming systems, some of which are under pressure from declining organic matter in the soils and declining crop diversity. (...)

4.9. Agricultural development continues to face several constraints with, inter alia, some food security implications. They include (...) the drain on resources from the damage caused by frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and occasional droughts. Notwithstanding these limitations, rural communities appear to have been able to sustain their food security and general livelihoods through an integrated approach to the management of a productive and natural ecosystem.

4.10. During the review period, certain policies were put in place. The Tonga Agriculture Sector Plan (TASP) 2016-2020 aimed to: (...) incorporate a strong focus on sustainability and building resilience against climate change and natural disasters. The TASP is based on designing groups of activities (in the form of Programmes) for achieving four strategic objectives: (i) develop a climate-resilient environment; (...) (iii) develop diverse, climate-resilient farming systems for the Kingdom's islands; (...) The TASP focuses on four areas: (i) climate-resilient agricultural production systems, which are determined by healthy soils, secure and sustainable water supplies, diverse farming systems, and adaptive communities;

4.12. As at 2020, the authorities planned to better utilize agriculture roads and certified pack-houses to increase exports, as well as to improve the productivity of root crops, watermelons, and vegetables. These prioritized national projects support four policy priorities: (...) Conservation of Sustainable Agricultural Resources; and Climate-Smart and Resilient Agriculture.

4.19. (...) There are no export bans or controls in place on most agriculture products; however, the Sandalwood Act 2016 restricted the export of sandalwood for the purposes of security and conservation of limited natural resources.

4.28. (...) Tonga's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of approximately 700,000 km2, compared with its land area of 749 km2, creates both a massive challenge and a huge opportunity for the effective management and development of sustainable fisheries, and maximizing the economic benefits of the country's fisheries resources. The share of fisheries (including crustaceans and coral) in total merchandise exports dropped from 35.5% (2014) to slightly above 19% (2016, 2017) and to 15.5% (2018), possibly due to TC Gita damages, after rising to 26.6% in 2019

4.29. During the review period, action was taken to develop the fisheries policy framework. The MOF's first Corporate Plan FY 2016/17-FY 2018/19 (see below), which is directly linked to the Tonga Strategic Development Framework (TSDF) (Section 2.3.2), provides a renewed focus on the development and management of the country's sustainable fisheries. It supports the establishment of community-based special management areas (SMAs), and fosters sustainable and profitable commercial fisheries and aquaculture.

4.30. The Tonga Fisheries Sector Plan (TFSP) 2016-2024 aims to maximize the sustainable contribution of the fisheries sector to food security and economic growth. It provides a solid foundation for seeking financial assistance from development partners for high-priority projects. The implementation of the TFSP is ongoing, with potential funding from the World Bank Pacific Islands Regional Oceanscape Program (PROP). A USD 10 million grant from the World Bank supports funding of TFSP implementation over six years, starting in July 2019, through the Halafononga Ki Ha Ngatai Tu'uloa – Pathway to Sustainable Oceans (Tongafish Pathway) project. The Tongafish Pathway project has four components: Strengthening Fisheries Governance (national International Development Associations (IDA): USD 0.4 million; regional IDA: USD 1.7 million); (...) Investing in Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development (national IDA: USD 1.22 million; regional IDA: US 0.5 million); (...).

4.47. Tonga faces challenges in monitoring fishing vessels and enforcing regulations in combatting IUU fishing due to the lack of capacity within the MoF. At the regional level, collaboration with FFA members in combatting IUU fishing increased. Tonga signed the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PSMA) in June 2017. [46] It has started a monitoring programme to review its legislation to facilitate PSMA implementation. The first review of its legislation was conducted in February 2017. As at December 2020, Tonga was at the initial stage of PSMA implementation, which includes the amendment of its fisheries legislation.

[46] The PSMA complements an existing suite of measures in place internationally to combat IUU; 47 States or regional economic integration organizations are parties, including 4 FFA member countries (Australia, New Zealand, Palau, and Vanuatu). United Nations, Implementation of Port Measures Agreement (PSMA) to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing Which Support Target 14.4 and 14.6. Viewed at: https://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/?id=21404.