Coral ban: 60 unemployed

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

COP23 and the Ministry of Fisheries ban on all harvesting, purchasing, sale and export of live coral and aquarium rock (also known as live rock, coral rock or fossil coral) is commended.

But, after celebrating New Year 2018, how would you feel if you turn up to work and be told that Government has taken away your job, go home and find another job? We are told that over 60 Walt Smith International workers at Lautoka, a company which exports live coral and rock has been told not to return to work on Wednesday, because of the ban by Government (FS 3/1).

From what we read, it seems that the Government has jumped the gun on this one.

The Livestock and Aquaculture manager David Barrick said: “The business is a lot more than about coral and rock export but the coral and rock export is what supports our coral farming and our man-made rock – without that we can't stand alone.

“At least right now for the last couple of years, a quarter of our income has gone directly to the villagers in Navutu, Druadrua and parts of the Yasawas to support the coral farming and the villagers are paid directly for the boat hires and other stuff.”

Mr Barrick said the company had invested another $500, 000 last year with the same amount earmarked for next year.

Over $15 million was invested in the company over the past 20 years.

The company said it contributed between $6 million to $7 million towards the economy each year. “There was zero consultation with us and the other company in Pacific Harbour that is run by David Oliver. “It came to us as a complete surprise and we haven't slept since Friday,” he said.

Bottom-line, it was the Government who approved of this company setting up business in Fiji, they have paid their taxes, have employed over 60 Fijians and have brought business to villages in the Yasawas.

I believe that this company is helping the growth of our coral, not its destruction and should, for the sake of the 60 Fijians who will be unemployed, for Government to allow Walt Smith International to continue in its operations.