FISHERIES TO EMPOWER FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION
The Government of the day has a responsibility to all Fijians in ensuring that quality and timely services are provided regardless of their gender, ethnicity, age, religion, locality or socio-economic background.
In this context, the Ministry of Fisheries is committed to working closely with all fisheries communities to sustainably use and manage Fiji’s fisheries resources. Government’s allocation of more than $772,000 for Coastal Development in this new fiscal year, would strengthen the Ministry’s work in sustaining and diversifying opportunities for coastal communities. Through the concerted efforts of the nationwide Fisheries Service Centres, the Ministry would continue to provide services for fishing communities through their respective fishermen’s association.
Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau, says that it was imperative more than ever that the Ministry strengthens its networks with communities that have already established their Soqosoqo Ni Dauqoli or Fishermen’s Associations.
“The establishment of Fishermen’s Associations is an important platform of the Ministry’s work to improve coordination efforts for our coastal and maritime communities. The formation of this association is similar to the work done in the establishment of “cluster farmers” within the Aquaculture Sector,” said Mr Koroilavesau.
Aim
The main aim of having the associations was for an effective communication and an implementation of fisheries initiatives. “With COVID-19, we have noticed the urban to rural drift and this of course creates a strain on the resources of our people. More people are turning to the land for agricultural purposes and of course to the sea for marine resources as a source of livelihood and food security,” he added.
“Due to the vast area covered by coastal fisheries, facilitating development through a collective group of people rather than on an individual basis allows the Ministry of Fisheries to effectively channel information, development initiatives and funding focused on sustainable fisheries and livelihood. We would like to encourage the formation of fishermen’s association because
it forms the platform for a holistic and collective approach to the sustenance of our coastal and maritime communities.” Several associations have been running successfully since their formation in the past the years whilst others have started taking their first baby steps.
One such example is, the Duavata Association, which was established in April last year and consists of 107 men and women from the Districts of Dama, Vuya, Solevu and Nadi in the Province of Bua.
The association meets on a monthly basis to discuss their challenges as well as their future plans in trying to grow as individuals and also as an association.
President of the Duavata Fishermen’s Association, Mr Viliame Ratuilagi says that it has been an eye opener for them as they realise that more can be achieved through their collective efforts.
“We would visit the Nabouwalu Fisheries Service Centre to collect ice and sell our fish. It was also an opportunity for us to discuss on ways and means that we could build on our fishing businesses and experiences and we are grateful for the Ministry of Fisheries’ continuing assistance,” said Mr Ratuilagi.
Mr Ratuilagi added that through the association, trainings were organised and the members were grateful to be educated on sustainable management practices of their resources as well as the various technologies that exist right up to processing and filleting fish for storage.
“Something that we always took for granted was the post-harvest handling of fish and through trainings conducted by the Ministry of Fisheries, we are now fully aware of what needs to be done which ensures consistency in quality from the sea to the plate,” smiled Mr Ratuilagi.
Another major benefit of working in groups was the collective marketing of produce.
“As of October 1, 2020, we will be buying fish from our members and selling it to various outlets. We want to establish a seaweed farm in Dama and a spat collection farm as well. There are bigger plans to open a seafood restaurant here in Nabouwalu to cater to passengers who commute seven days a week from Suva to Nabouwalu and vice versa,” he explained.
He added that collaborations of this sort could only be made through the network of the association.
New boats and engines
The association is also a proud recipient of a new boat and engine that was handed to them earlier this year by the Ministry.
The maintenance and upkeep of the boat was managed through funds that were from members who hire the boat for fishing trips. The Duavata Fishermen’s Association is also looking forward to the deployment of Fishing Aggregate Device (FAD’s) in the Bua waters and the training that will follow. Mr Ratuilagi said that word has spread in the Bua province and other communities were also showing interest in forming their own associations.
There are other fishermen’s associations around the country that have been successfully operating in their respective communities and who have become influential in setting sustainable measures to ensure that their future generation will also reap the benefits of their resources.
Currently, the Ministry is working with the Department of Cooperatives in registering all fishermen associations in Fiji so that they are able to operate viably using a proven business approach.
The Ministry is also grateful to other stakeholders and Non-Government Organisations who have also been using the fishermen’s association network to carry out trainings and consultations on sustainable management of resources.
Fishermen are requested to seek advice from their nearest Fisheries Services Centres on the various services that are available for them.
Minister Koroilavesau said that without new approaches to managing Fiji’s fisheries, we could anticipate that there would be a decline in food security, community wellbeing and economic resilience.
“It is therefore critical that all stakeholders work together through the fishermen’s associations,” he said.