The Ministry of Fisheries in Fiji has introduced three important documents that will influence the future of the nation’s fisheries industry. These are the Ministry of Fisheries Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028, the Fiji National Fisheries Policy 2024-2028, and the Operational Plan for 2024-2025. Together, they aim to create a sustainable, growth-oriented, and resilient fisheries sector.
Minister for Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu emphasized that the fisheries sector is vital to Fiji’s economy, significantly contributing to the GDP and providing livelihoods for many Fijians. She described these documents as a roadmap toward achieving ecological balance, economic development, and climate resilience within the sector.
“The Operational Plan 2024-2025 details the initial steps we will undertake to realize our long-term strategies, setting specific, measurable targets that align with our National Development Plan, the Strategic Development Plan, and the Fiji National Fisheries Policy. Our focus will be on improving resource management, growing aquaculture, and enhancing the resilience of our fisheries against external challenges,” she stated.
The Fiji National Fisheries Policy 2024-2028 serves as a comprehensive framework consistent with the National Development Plan and international commitments, chiefly Sustainable Development Goal 14, which emphasizes the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
Conservation International Fiji has praised the launch of these three essential documents, labeling it a significant achievement. The policy aims to ensure that Fiji’s fisheries sector is not only economically viable but also environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.