The FAO Subregional office of the Pacific Island is pleased to welcome Frank Chopin, who will take up the position of Senior fisheries and aquaculture officer in Apia, Samoa.  Frank joins the Subregional office following 8 years in FAO Rome where he was Chief of the Fishing Operations and Technology Service.

Mr Chopin has experience in the public and private sectors in different countries including roles in fisheries R&D, technology transfer and company management. “Having worked in the private sector and government institutions, I appreciate the value in partnering and the importance of balancing production with shared responsibility to achieve sustainable growth”. Said Mr Chopin.

During his time in Rome, Mr Chopin was responsible for leading a group of FAO professionals across a number of FAO areas of work. These included; development of international instruments and guidelines; the provision of technical assistance to increase economic efficiency, reduce loss and waste in fisheries supply chains and minimize environmental impacts associated with fishing. In recent years, most efforts have been directed towards improve the socio-economic viability and safety in small-scale fisheries and minimizing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

“FAO has given me an incredible opportunity to return to the region and work with Pacific Island countries and regional organizations in fisheries and aquaculture”.

An Australian national, Frank has thirty years experience in fisheries from bases in Australia, Canada, Japan and the UK. His experiences include work in the Arctic fisheries, coastal tropical fisheries and high seas deep sea fisheries. Prior to joining FAO in 2007, he was manager of a joint venture fishing company targeting swordfish and tunas in the Atlantic.

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