Title: Improving Fiji's access to the EU market through digitalisation of tuna processor reporting systems.

Fiji´s offshore tuna fisheries sector is a basis of the nation’s economy, with its export volume and value to the European Union being an indication of the sector’s health and feasibility. This study provides an in-depth analysis of Fiji’s tuna exports, focusing on the performance of the three main EU-established tuna processing companies and their compliance with EU standards. This study aims to analyse the critical role of developing a digitalised processing reporting system for catch certification within Fiji’s offshore tuna fisheries sector. The main objective is to maintain market access, particularly to the EU, and improve industry efficiency and fish accountability. This study investigates the shift towards digitalised reporting systems in Fiji’s tuna processing industry using a systematic approach. Initially, a literature review was conducted to establish a foundational understanding of the topic. Subsequently, a SWOT analysis was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed system against paper-based reporting systems. This research further incorporated stakeholder insights via interviews and questionnaires involving key industry participants and experts. The methodology facilitated a thorough examination of the transition’s implications, highlighting the potential benefits of digitalisation in combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and improving industry practices compared to the current reporting systems. This research supports the idea that this transition would lead to increased market access, enhanced sustainability, and profitability for the Fiji Tuna processing industry. The study concludes that the digitalisation of tuna processors reporting systems is necessary to maintain Fiji’s competitive edge in the EU market. It also underscores the strategic importance of digitalisation in ensuring a sustainable future for the industry. Fiji will need to include a detailed understanding of the Fish Accountancy system alongside the EU CATCH certification system, establish a robust legal and regulatory framework, engage stakeholders collaboratively, implement real-time reporting and tracking, ensure mass balance reconciliation, and design an effective certification and reporting system. These steps will enhance traceability and accountability, limit the risk of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, and support the health of seafood markets in both Fiji and the EU.