The Fisheries Ministry is committed to enhancing monitoring, compliance, and surveillance in coastal regions to ensure adherence to fisheries laws and regulations. Minister Alitia Bainivalu emphasized this point during a parliamentary session, stating that significant efforts are necessary in coastal management and the development of fisheries resources to meet the daily requirements of Fijians.
Bainivalu confirmed the Ministry’s dedication to achieving its goals and supporting coastal fisheries. She noted that this fiscal year, the Ministry will continue to advance coastal fisheries initiatives and expand ongoing projects to improve results and effectiveness.
The coastal development fisheries project encompasses five primary work programs. These include a market access initiative that supports licensed fishers in reaching better markets, enhancing processes along value chains, exploring pelagic and deep-water snapper fisheries to alleviate pressure on coral reefs while maximizing economic returns for licensed fishers and cooperatives, expanding locally managed marine areas through species management and the cultivation of high-value coastal species such as sandfish, and reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Fiji’s coastal waters. Additionally, training and awareness programs will be implemented to strengthen the value chain of coastal fisheries resources and their management.