Alitia Bainivalu, the Assistant Minister for Tourism, has been officially sworn in as the new Minister for Fisheries and Forests. Her appointment follows the resignation of Kalaveti Ravu, who stepped down from the Cabinet after being charged by FICAC and attending a court hearing yesterday. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka named Bainivalu as Ravu’s successor stating she brings vast experience in the fisheries sector from her previous role as a senior Fisheries Officer. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science from the University of the South Pacific and a Masters in Marine Science from the Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology. Ravu will continue his political career as a backbencher.