The Fisheries Ministry is set to enhance monitoring, compliance, and surveillance efforts in coastal regions to ensure adherence to fisheries laws and regulations. In a statement made in Parliament, Minister Alitia Bainivalu emphasized the necessity for improvements in coastal management and the development of fisheries resources to satisfy the daily needs of Fijians.
Bainivalu stated that the Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry is committed to fulfilling its objectives. She expressed that essential measures will be established to support ongoing projects, guaranteeing their sustainability and effectiveness in alleviating pressure on the depleting fish stocks.
For the current fiscal year, the Ministry plans to continue backing coastal fisheries while expanding existing initiatives to enhance results. The coastal development fisheries project consists of five key work programs. These include the pathway to market initiative, which aids licensed fishers in accessing improved markets, refining processes within value chains, exploring pelagic and deep-water snapper fisheries to reduce fishing pressure on coral reefs, and maximizing economic benefits for licensed fishers and cooperatives.
Additional efforts will focus on scaling up locally managed marine areas through species management and the cultivation of high-value coastal species such as sandfish. The Ministry will also work on minimizing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Fiji’s coastal waters through increased monitoring and compliance, along with training and awareness programs aimed at improving the value chain of coastal fisheries resources and their management.