Fishing in makeshift boats now over for Melanesian Community

We have been waiting for this day to transport us to the reef and back, searching for our food from the ocean. Maraia Vavanalagi, spokesperson for the Nasonoso Melanesian settlement in Levuka, Ovalau made this statement during the handover of the new fibreglass boat to the community.

The Office of the Prime Minister assisted the Nasonoso Melanesian settlement, providing a 23 foot half cabin fibreglass boat, 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine and safety kit accessories which were valued at $19,684. “We have been using the seawall and sitting under the trees and the sticks pierced to the styrofoam to help us paddle small makeshift boats to and from fishing trips,” Ms Vavanalagi said.

“We are thankful for the assistance rendered to our community.”

She said about 100 people would be assisted through this project.

This assistance was possible through the Office of the Prime Minister Melanesian vasu iTaukei (MVT) Development Fund. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the assistance was aligned with the Government’s intention of improving the livelihood of communities living in the rural and maritime areas and alleviating poverty at the community level.

On the same note, a 40 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine valued at $6824 was handed to the Siata Fishing Group of Ovalau.

They are from the Siata Melanesian Settlement which is occupied by the descendants of the Solomon Islanders who were brought to Fiji during the colonial era to work on cotton farms.

The community had a boat, but no outboard engine.

The project will benefit close to 40 people living in the settlement.