Dr Manarangi-Trott to take on new role
The appointment of Dr Lara Manarangi-Trott as Compliance Manager for the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Pohnpei continues the tradition of Cook Islanders being well represented at regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
A home grown girl, Lara is the daughter of Teresa Manarangi-Trott the current President for the Chamber of Commerce. Lara will be accompanied to Pohnpei with her husband James Wichman and their five month old daughter Aria.
Prior to her appointment Dr Manarangi-Trott served for six years with the Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) based in Honiara, where she coordinated and delivered advice to Pacific Island countries in regional tuna fisheries management. For a brief term she was the interim Deputy Director.
The WCPFC, or Tuna Commission as it is commonly known, is the peak body responsible for managing fish stocks in the western half of the Pacific. The organisation has the daunting task of finding consensus on sustainable management of these stocks amongst its 25 commission members who include small islands Pacific states as well as some of the most powerful foreign fishing nations.
The mission of the Tuna Commission has become more urgent and paramount as fish stocks around the world dwindle due to overfishing, whilst demand for fish products has increased. Fishing effort is now turned to the Pacific where the last major healthy stocks of tuna fisheries are found.
Dr Manarangi-Trott says “The Commission has a hugely challenging task but is exciting…my role as Compliance Manager is to oversee the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance activities to combat illegal fishing and put in place the reporting systems for verifying that all Commission members are meeting the commitments they have agreed to. The role also involves supporting the management and enforcement of measures”
Lara completed a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours in marine biological environments at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She returned to work with the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources as a fisheries officer. Her outstanding qualifications enabled her to return to Australia and gain direct access to PhD studies which she embarked upon at the University of Wollongong with a thesis that examined and analysed the legal frameworks governing RFMOs and the important role that small Pacific island countries, like the Cook Islands, play in the conservation and management of tuna stocks.
Says Ben Ponia, Secretary of Marine Resources “It is a credit to the Cook Islands and to government that MMR staff with such high calibre have come through the Ministries ranks and gone on to serve the region with distinction. Lara is well aware of the Cook Islands fisheries aspirations and has always been available to provide guidance to the MMR. Lara is effectively taking over as second in command of the organisation and the most demanding task of the Tuna commission, so we are very proud of her success”.
She arrives into Pohnpei shortly after another Cook Islander, Pasha Curruthers, who has recently taken up a regional climate change position with the northern SPC office in Pohnpei.
The Manarangi-Trott/Wichman family are now experienced travellers and used to relocation around the Pacific. Although it will be a long journey to Pohnpei , but hubby James jokes that they are used to the travelling and “all set and ready to go for the next big move!”. James is looking forward to continuing his passion as a chef, as well as enjoying the fishing and diving.
The Manarangi-Trott/Wichman family have been back in Rarotonga since last Friday and depart on Thursday this week.
MMR Media Release – Authorised by Secretary

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