TAIPEI, July 10 Asia Pulse - A Taiwan, South Pacific fishery forum, sponsored by the Council of Agriculture (COA), opened in Taipei Monday, bringing together senior officials in charge of fishery-related affairs from six South Pacific countries and Taiwan for discussions.

Senior fishery officials from the Republic of China's diplomatic allies of Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru are attending the five-day forum on the building of constructive fishery partnerships between Taiwan and the six countries, COA officials said.

During the forum, the participants are expected to learn more about Taiwan's experiences in exploration of fishery resources and developments in its fisheries industry.

The participants are also expected to discuss fisheries sector developments in their own countries with COA officials, enabling the COA to gain a better understanding of the differing conditions that Taiwan's allies in the region face, COA officials said.

In addition to taking part in forum sessions, the participants are also scheduled to take field trips to government agencies, fishing villages and model seafood processing companies located around the island to help them better understand the development of Taiwan's fisheries industry.

The COA authorities said they hope that through this forum, Taiwan will gain a clearer picture of the fisheries sector conditions in the South Pacific countries which will in turn help Taiwan shape its policies on economic assistance to these countries.

COA officials also said they hope that after the forum, the South Pacific allies will render stronger support for Taiwan in regional fishery organizations and related activities.