Improving Services a Priority for Koroilavesau
The continuous improvement of services provided to all its stakeholders is a priority for the Ministry of Fisheries as it eyes achieving its targets set within this budget year.
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau said this included providing services to rural and isolated communities in areas of fisheries initiatives (training, generation of sources of income, improved livelihood etc). “Improved services also means providing for the private sector. This includes creating a viable environment for the private sector to continue to grow and bring in economic returns to Fiji’s economy,” Mr Koroilavesau said.
“Other plans this year would include finalising important operational tools, which include reviewing all relevant fisheries legislation (inshore, offshore, aquaculture) as well as finalising policy documents and management plans.
“These are two important tools that the ministry looks to finalise this year.
“The Ministry of Fisheries will be strengthening seaweed production through an innovative approach and is always looking to venture into new ideas and partners.”
This year the ministry is looking to raise the standard on seaweed farming.
“The Ministry of Fisheries signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia last year in the quest to learn from their seaweed farming practices,” he said.
“It will continue this year and we hope that through our partnership we will be able to increase production, reduce seaweed mortality and increase economic returns.”
Another important initiative that the ministry looks to finalise this year is aquaculture.
“Especially to finalise infrastructure work in our Caboni Hatchery in Ra. Once this is done, we are looking to start breeding freshwater, brackish water and marine finfish,” he said.
“This will be a huge milestone as this has never been undertaken before.”
In terms of data collection, Mr Koroilavesau said it was critical that this was carried out to allow them to understand the science or the status of species sold in our markets daily.
He added that illegal fishing was always a threat and this year the ministry intended to continue working with its partners to combat illegal fishing.
The ministry will also work at strengthening ties with other Pacific Island countries in the fisheries sector.