Planting 3,000 Mangrove Seedlings Marks Saweni World Fisheries Day
The acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries Naipote Katonitabua, has reiterated the importance of sustaining Fiji’s fisheries resources for the future generation. Mr Katonitabua made these remarks after a total of 3000 mangrove seedlings were planted at Saweni Beach in Lautoka to mark ‘World Fisheries Day’ celebration yesterday.
He said every Fijian had a critical mandate to ensure that our fisheries resources were maintained at sustainable levels.
“Fiji has a relatively small land mass and any development activity would have a negative impact across the entire island landscape affecting environment, people, livelihoods and economies,” Mr Katonitabua said. He said: “Our oceans and its abundant resources provide a common thread that unites our islands and even reaching across each Pacific Island Countries and therefore we all have a critical mandate to ensure that our fisheries resources are maintained at sustainable levels, not only for the present, but also for our future generations.”
Mr Katonitabua acknowledged the government for taking a step forward to recognise the need to establish a dedicated ministry to grow and manage the fisheries sector in Fiji. Amongst the Ministry of Fisheries staff members, Ministry of Forests and Ministry of Affairs staff members were also part of the celebration.