District ventures into pearl farming
THE district of Sawaieke, Gau in the Lomaiviti Group plans to venture into pearl farming as a source of income for villagers.
As part of its efforts to enhance this idea, 15 men and women from the villages of Sawaieke, Somosomo and Nawaikama will undergo one week training on pearl farming in Savusavu, Vanua Levu at the end of this year.
Speaking at the opening of an ice plant at Navukailagi Village, district elder Ratu Sevanaia Lewanavanua said there was a need to revive pearl farming on Gau.
“We want to acknowledge the Ministry of Fisheries for paving a way for us and giving us hope that our district has the potential to venture into pearl farming,” he said.
“In the past, we had always underestimated our district that we didn’t have the resources and knowledge on how to engage in pearl farming, we tried but were unsuccessful because we were not trained.
“I hope the 15 villagers we are sending to undergo training will make use of this opportunity for their own benefit and hope to see the fruit of their training.”
Principal fisheries officer Eastern Division, Tekata Toasi said the training would expose the participants to pearl farming and its benefits.
Apart from pearl farming, he said they would also undergo training on marine resource conservation.