Rhea Moss-Christian

Rhea Moss-Christian
Born 31 August 1974
Nationality Marshall Islands
Education Stanford University, Oxford University, University of California
Title Chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
Term Elected in Dec 2014; re-elected for a 2nd term in Dec 2016.
Spouse(s) Christopher Christian
Children 1

Rhea Medine Moss-Christian (born 31 August 1974), is chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the governing body for the world's largest tuna fishery, which conserves and manages fish stocks across the western and central areas of the Pacific Ocean. Moss-Christian, who is the first woman to chair the WCPFC, also advises the Marshall Islands Government on Oceans and Trade,[1] and has been working with fisheries for over twenty years.[2] Moss-Christian also chairs the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission.[3]

Early life and education

Born in the Marshall Islands, Moss-Christian commenced her career in fisheries by assisting the Marshall Islands Government in regional fisheries meetings and United Nations negotiations.[1]

Moss-Christian holds a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies, 2005 (Stanford University), a Post-Graduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies, 2000 (Oxford University) and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics, 1996 (University of California Santa Cruz).[4] When working towards her degree at the University of California Santa Cruz, she became interested in fisheries.[5]

Career

Moss-Christian moved to Majuro in 1996 and was chosen to represent the Marshall Islands at the 30th Forum Fisheries Committee.[5]

Moss-Christian made history in December 2014 as the first woman to be elected as chair of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and was then elected to a second two-year term in December 2016,[6] which was reported as a testament to the respect she had won from Commission members.[1] The Commission membership includes all the major fishing nations from Europe, Asia and North America, as well as developing Pacific nations such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Moss-Christian and WCPFC Executive Director, Feleti Teo, have been notable for guiding Commission members to achieve more progress by setting realistic goals, given that member countries have different interests and perspectives.[7] At the Commission's 2016 annual meeting, Moss-Christian highlighted the need to develop a harvest strategy, review conservation and management measures for key tunas[8] such as Bigeye and Bluefin, mitigate bycatch and address the safety of commercial fishing boat observers who ensure Commission rules are being followed.[9][10]

In early 2018, Moss-Christian was appointed chairperson of the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "pactimes". pactimes. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  2. ↑ Carreon, Bernadette H. (6 February 2017). "Rhea Moss-Christian: Taking the fish by the tail". Pacific Island Times. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  3. 1 2 Marshall Islands Journal (1 February 2018). "N-Commission sworn in". marshallislandsjournal.com. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Moss-Christian, Rhea. "Education". LinkedIn. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Rhea Moss-Christian, Special Adviser on Oceans and Trade". SPREP. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Rhea Moss-Christian Archives - The Marshall Islands Journal". The Marshall Islands Journal. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  7. ↑ "Tuna commission chair says body needs to be selective". Radio New Zealand. 2016-12-05. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  8. ↑ Richard, Hewitt (7 December 2016). "ABC Radio Australia Pacific Beat program". Radio Australia (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "Bula! Pacific Tuna Commission Gets To Work On Fishing Policies". Honolulu Civil Beat. 2016-12-06. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  10. ↑ Carreon, Bernadette H. (11 December 2016). "Tuna Commission meeting wraps with little to show". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
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