More Positive Changes for Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry
There is much work to be done and newly elected Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Honourable Kalaveti Vodo Ravu says that there is no time to waste. A former Ministry of Fisheries staff, Mr Ravu knows only too well the goals that need to be met to RAISE THE PROfiLES OF BOTH fiSHERIES and forestry in the country.
With managerial experience in THE fiELD OF AQUACULTURE AND AGRIculture, Mr Ravu says that the goal now is to have less turnaround time when it comes to service delivery.
Steadfast with Government goals
He believes that being a team player will certainly achieve the Ministry goals and the overall ambitions of Government.
“MY STRENGTH WOULD BE IN AQUAculture and I believe that with over 20 years experience in that particuLAR fiELD, I AM ABLE TO BRING MORE to the table in terms of developing THE AQUACULTURE SECTOR TO ANOTHER level,” explained Mr Ravu.
“I have so many plans and one of THEM IS TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY fiSH farming. This will empower landowners to utilise their land and asSIST IN GROWING FIJI’S AQUACULTURE sector,” added Mr Ravu.
“The same concept will need to be introduced to communities for forestry and I must thank the Ministry for the work carried out so far. Many communities across Fiji have been actively engaged in tree planting exercises and we must encourage them to continue,” added Mr Ravu.
“Government plans to re-introduce activities and programmes that will create an enabling environment for resource owners and all we need now is to embrace the changes that are taking place and
move forward with it.”
Fisheries Sector Goals
“The Honourable Prime Minister, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka has stressed on the importance of the two sectors in Fiji.”
“All we need now is commitment and dedication to the tasks at hand so that we are able to execute the mandates by Government. There is so much resources available for both land and sea and this itself is the hope that we need to realise the greater opportunities before us.” “The marine resources in this vast area can be commercially exploited to feed our people and generate foreign exchange from exports. The resources can be exPLOITED FOR THE BENEfiT OF ALL AND IN PARTICULAR FOR THE BENEfiT OF REsource owners.”
“We also plan to assist and grow our private sector entities and I know that although this cannot be achieved overnight, there is hope for all involved in the sector. Fiji’s fiSHERIES INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY UNEQUAL COMPETITION from larger international entities.
In addition to the dormant marine resources, there is huge potential FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AQUACULTURE fiSHERIES BECAUSE OF OUR FAVOURABLE climatic conditions.”
“To mobilise and realise economic gain from these resources, GovERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT fiSHERies resources are managed well to BENEfiT OUR INDUSTRY, CITIZENS AND SPECIfiCALLY THE RESOURCE OWNERS,” explained Mr Ravu.
He adds that there will be a review OF THE CURRENT fiSHERIES LAWS WITH the aim of tightening the system of monitoring.
“Government will strengthen participation of resource owners in the management and exploitaTION OF THE fiSHERIES RESOURCES AND also ensure that economic gains ARE REALIZED BY OUR PEOPLE FROM THE exploitation of marine resources in Fiji’s EEZ, including those engaged through foreign owned operators.”
Forestry Sector Goals
Total forest stock covers 1.2million hectares and this comprises 81.3% of natural or indigenous species,
7.2% of pine plantation, 5.7% of mahogany (exotic) and 5% of mangroves.
“Government is committed to ensure that high value forest products are developed and exploited in a sustainable manner.
“To facilitate this, the government will encourage the effective participation of resource owners throughout the supply chain system.
“We will also raise awareness about conservation of the nature among all stakeholders to implement more effective climate change mitigation.”
Mr Ravu adds that Government will put in place the necessary legislation as a deterrence to miniMIZE THE RISK OF BURNING OR MISUSE of forest resources; and also develop land use policies to conserve forest and other land based natural systems, including soil.
Further Plans
“We have been mandated to ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND I AM CONfident
in the experience and skills of the staff that we have on the ground. All we need now is renewed commitment and a lot of dedication so that we are able to achieve Government’s overall goals,”
Minister Ravu was welcomed by the senior executives of the now merged Ministry on Wednesday AND HAS ALSO STARTED HIS fiELD VISItations.
“This will enable me to meet the staff on the ground and encourage them as well on the journey ahead of us. We are here to serve the people and that is exactly what we are going to do,” added Minister Ravu. “I ask resource owners to please bear with us as we execute the mandates of Government and to also support us in the great work that lies head of us.”
“Let us continue to grow both resource based sectors and engage more through community empowerment programmes as well as continued dialogues.”