Fiji’s domestic fisheries sector, while established, still faces significant challenges that hinder its full potential, particularly in the areas of value-adding, processing, and sustainable stock management. To tackle these issues, the Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA) has introduced six social policy guidelines aimed at enhancing industry standards and promoting responsible and socially sustainable fisheries development.
The six focal points of the new guidelines include addressing child and forced labor, ensuring employment contracts, improving occupational health and safety at sea, promoting freedom of association and collective bargaining, as well as enhancing corporate responsibility and transparency. The initiative is a direct response to the longstanding concerns that have persisted despite the sector’s maturity.
Mere Lakeba, Country Director for Conservation International-Fiji, highlighted the surprising gaps within a matured industry’s operational framework. She emphasized the need for greater awareness regarding the workforce involved in fisheries and the complexity of the sector’s dynamics. Lakeba noted that the policy’s implementation will focus on three essential pillars: environmental conservation, economic viability, and improved social performance within the fisheries industry.
FFIA President Radika Kumar pointed out that social challenges within the sector became increasingly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting both the wellbeing of workers and overall productivity in the industry. This increased awareness has fueled ongoing discussions about these social issues, which were initially highlighted through various virtual forums spearheaded by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
While a specific timeline for the implementation of these guidelines has yet to be established, FFIA is committed to collaborating with Conservation International and other stakeholders to pilot the policy, ensuring that it meets the necessary standards before its official launch. This proactive approach signals a hopeful step towards addressing the critical social issues faced by Fiji’s fishing industry, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.
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