Tonga’s fisheries and maritime governance framework establishes the nation’s maritime zones, regulates commercial and subsistence fishing, and protects coastal ecosystems through a comprehensive system of laws and community‑based management. The Maritime Zones Act defines Tonga’s territorial sea, EEZ, continental shelf and sovereign rights, while the Fisheries Management (Processing & Export) Regulations set strict licensing, HACCP food‑safety requirements, and export controls for marine products. The Aquaculture Management Regulations govern aquaculture licensing, environmental safeguards, and production reporting, and the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Regulations mandate satellite tracking of licensed vessels to ensure compliance and deter illegal fishing. The Local Fishing Regulations control vessel registration, licensing, fishing methods, and reporting obligations for domestic and sport‑fishing operators. Complementing these national systems, the Fisheries (Coastal Communities) Regulations empower villages to manage Special Management Areas (SMAs), maintain fishers and vessel registers, enforce local rules, protect habitat reserves, and issue subsistence, small‑scale, yacht, and seaweed‑harvesting permits. Together, these instruments create an integrated national–community governance model that supports sustainable fisheries, food security, economic development, and marine conservation across Tonga.