The Woman Behind Our Fisheries Research Division
Though scientists carry out research, the rest of the world benefits from their findings. We get to know the way of nature, and how our actions affect it. We gain a deeper understanding of our environment and why they do the things they do. Best of all, we get to enrich our lives with the latest knowledge of health, nutrition, technology, resources and business, among others.
Today, as part of the Ministry of Fisheries’ focus on its staff who continue to promote the fisheries agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic, we feature Ms. Nanise Tuqiri Kuridrani- Principal Research Officer and Head of the Ministry’s Research Division.
She hails from Namatakula Village in Nadroga and holds a Master of Environmental Management degree majoring in conservation biology from the University of Queensland in Australia, and a Postgraduate Diploma and a Bachelors Degree in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific. She oversees a team of 39 staff coordinating all research, data synthesis, and providing policy guidance and advice.
Her career with the Ministry started in 2005 and she has played a critical role in coordinating marine resource assessments, including the establishment and the gazette of marine protected areas. She also contributed to the management and protection of groupers in Fiji. She coordinated the socio-economic data collection of aggregated reef fishes and the gazette of the Naiqoro Passage Spawning Aggregation Marine Reserve in Kadavu in 2018 in addition to coordinating the value chain analysis of freshwater mussel (Batissa violacea) in 2016 and the Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA) on the grouper fishery value chain analysis in 2017.
Nanise has a growing interest in understanding the impact of climate change on seafood safety and livelihoods and is actively involved in ciguatera fish poisoning research, working closely with the Fiji National University.
She has presented scientific papers and abstracts at the international and national conferences, in 2017 during the Indo-Pacific Fish Conference in French Polynesia on “Identification of ciguatera hotspots in Fiji’s IQoliqoli”, on “Grouper management in Fiji” during the Pacific Voices for a Global Ocean Challenge Conference at the University of the South Pacific and “Value chain analysis of freshwater mussel in Viti Levu, Fiji” during the Women in Fisheries Celebration Conference in Suva.
1. What motivated you to want a career in fisheries?
My passion started at a very young age when growing up in my village. I would accompany the older family members whenever they would go out fishing and gleaning. It was fascinating for me to see all the creatures in their various forms and colours. It made me want to learn more about the marine environment.
2. What are some of your memorable achievements in this role?
I have climbed through the ranks and am grateful that this year, the Ministry had faith in me and appointed me as the Principal Research Officer. I am working towards creating an impact especially in conducting impactful research and resource assessment that will contribute to policy improvements and service delivery.
3. What have been some challenges you have faced in this role?
COVID19 has disrupted our normal work routine and has delayed the implementation of our research operation in particular the sea cucumber stock assessment survey which has been identified as an immediate COVID-19 response for coastal and maritime communities. We continue to work the best way we can under the circumstances and hopefully roll out the other aspects to the work.
4. In your role who are your immediate stakeholders and how well do you work with them in achieving the deliverables for a sustainable fisheries sector in Fiji?
As a scientist, I work closely with local and international scientists that operate in the ocean and coastal research field. I have conducted various research based on biological and socioeconomic landscape and have also presented scientific papers and abstracts in local and inte
In my capacity as the Principal Research Officer, I supervise three (3) capital projects on Pearl Oyster Development Project, Fisheries Research and Conservation Project and the Makogai Mariculture Project. It provides me the opportunity to work closely with communities, mariculture farmers involved in pearl and giant clams farming. My team also work with hotels and resorts on the setting up of marine conservation projects. Part of our role is to provide technical advice to exporters as well as collaborate with international researchers such as the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on pearl oyster research.
5. What are some of the activities in which you have worked with communities to promote the fisheries sector?
The main purpose of working with communities is to educate them on the social, economic, ecological and cultural significance of protecting and sustainably utilizing the marine environment. In this regard, I have supervised and coordinated the implementation of mariculture programs such as giant clams reseeding and pearl oyster spat and mabe farming in communities across Fiji, including the trial of mangrove oyster farming in
Vutia, Rewa. Furthermore, I supervised and coordinated the stock assessment survey to determine the status of fisheries resources and provide advice to communities for better utilization and the establishment of marine conservation programs in customary fishing rights areas (CFRA).
6. In light of the COVID19 pandemic what are some of the new norms or ways of working that you have had to cope with?
COVID19 has disrupted our normal work routine therefore all my meetings have been conducted virtually. It has also provided me the opportunity to attend meetings that I have not attended before such as being part of the Pacific Head of Fisheries (HOFs) meeting facilitated by SPC.
7. What would be your advice to those who want to join the Ministry of Fisheries or in particular the Research Division?
Research in the marine environment involves working underwater to collect biological information and understanding the communities’ dependency on marine resources. First you need to have the passion for the marine environment and the underwater creatures. Passion will take you through to achieve the relevant qualification and skills. Plus you need to be determined despite all the challenges that you may face.