It is with deep sorrow that the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) announces the untimely passing of Mr. Poasi Ngaluafe, Deputy CEO and Head of Fisheries Science and Extension Division of the Tongan Ministry of Fisheries, a division of the CITES Scientific Authority of Tonga.
A key figure in fisheries and aquaculture development in Tonga and the Pacific region, Poasi has been a longtime advocate of CITES in Tonga, which became a Party in 2016. His engagement with the Convention began even earlier, having attended the meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) since CoP16 (Bangkok, 2013).
We will greatly miss his leadership, enthusiasm, and humor. His dedication and support to CITES and sustainable fisheries resource management has positively impacted our lives.
The CITES Secretariat extends heartfelt condolences to Mr. Ngaluafe’s family, friends, and colleagues during this mournful time.
CITES Secretariat
2 May 2024