Fisheries Minister Reaches Out to Qamea and Yanuca Islands
Qamea and Yanuca are two of the three islets lying east of the island of Taveuni. To get there, one must travel by boat from Taveuni or from Natuvu Jetty, which is on the main island of Vanua Levu. For most mariners, this means navigating between clear smooth surfaces and the occasional unpredictable rough seas.
For the visiting delegation led by the Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau, the team did just that last week! A boat ride from Natuvu to Taveuni and then to Qamea and Laucala.
The trip was somewhat special because it marked the completion of the ministers visit to all maritime islands since taking up the fisheries portfolio in 2017. Welcomed by villagers, the experience created the perfect platform for a talanoa dialogue as over the past, Mr Koroilavesau has always stressed the need to reach out to rural communities regardless of its physical isolation or geographical make up.
This underpins the goal of leaving no one behind, meaning that all Fijians should not be deprived of important information needed for awareness to help boost sustainable rural development.
Impacts of COVID-19
Mr Koroilavesau spoke of the impacts of COVID-19 and how it has affected all Fijians.
“The world as we know is going through perhaps the most challenging times ever. This is when we need to support each other. We must ensure that our families are well looked after and that their immediate needs are met,” he said. “The Ministry of Fisheries is trying its best to work with communities in the rural isolated islands to ensure that there are food and income available through sustainable fishing practices.”
Noting that this cannot be done alone, communities were reminded of the importance of effective collaboration, partnership and engagement between communities, the private sector and government officials to better prepare for the trying times ahead. Mr Koroilavesau added that Government will always respect the wishes of the Vanua and if development is needed, Government will always work to find a way to assist all communities.
Rural Maritime Communities assistance
During the discussions, Mr Koroilavesau also spoke of the important initiatives developed to assist rural maritime communities. These initiatives include assistance for Fishing Aggregate Devices (FADs) which help reduce effort levels within the reef system by attracting migratory fish species.
He also elaborated on the boat and engine assistance, which helps aid surface patrol and provide access to fishing grounds and markets as well as the third initiative for solar powered freezers that are aimed at increasing shelf-life of fish reducing cost and boosting market opportunities.
Marine Protected Areas
“These initiatives are being introduced to help make life a bit easier for communities and it is the Government’s hope that communities are supported in any way possible. Whether it be with these initiatives or other sustainable measures such as the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs),” added Mr Koroilavesau. “We cannot stress enough the importance of MPAs and we are grateful that we have other partners working with us through the communities in developing MPAs in coastal communities.”
Research conducted in MPAs from around the globe show that it maintains biodiversity and provides refuge for endangered and commercial species.
MPAs also protect critical habitats from damage by destructive fishing practices and other human activities and allowing them to recover as well as providing areas where fish are able to reproduce, spawn and grow to their adult size. MPAs maintain local cultures, economies, and livelihoods which are intricately linked to the marine environment.
Surveys conducted worldwide show that only about four per cent of the world’s oceans are protected and the vast majority of existing marine parks and reserves are either poorly managed, or not looked after at all.
MPAs can achieve so much more for the communities from maintaining sources of food to protecting shorelines, protecting biodiversity to providing income and jobs.
Fiji has more than 400 villages working with Government and Non-Government Organisations in the establishment of their traditional MPA’s.
The two islands have strongly indicated that they too would like to set up MPAs as firsthand experiences show how depleting fisheries resources have affected them. Mr Ului Bale, a village elder in Yanuca Island said that the setting up of a Marine Protected Area was a good initiative and one that would certainly protect various marine species and help them repopulate, which would greatly benefit the people in the island.
“We have seen the effects of overfishing over the years as our young men are now going further out to sea to fish. Species of fish that we used to eat in our younger days are no more seen so we are fully supporting the setting up of an MPA. We are grateful to the Ministry of Fisheries for their constant advice and support,” he said.
Sentiments shared by the villagers indicate the greater benefits of reaching out to the most isolated communities and the much needed empowerment by officials in helping coastal communities understand the important role they play in ocean sustainability. Mr Koroilavesau, advised villagers to manage resources wisely. “Please harvest wisely so that we pave the way for our future generation. Think of your children, your grandchildren as they too will depend on the same i-qoliqoli for food, livelihood and sustenance. We all have an important part to play,” he said.