In 1984, a fishing competition awarded over $1,500 worth of prizes to top fishing groups and individuals in the Western Division. According to a March 12 article from The Fiji Times, the 40-member Ratu Busa group from Yaqeta Village in Yasawa was recognized as the top fishing group, while Muttap Reddy from Nacovi, Nadi, received the individual accolade.
The Ratu Busa group was presented with a variety of prizes including a 15-horsepower outboard engine, a transistor radio, fishing lines, an engine tank, and a carton of canned fish. The group’s leader, Kini Jioji Rakata, also received tickets from Fiji Air to visit the Pacific Fishing Company canning factory in Levuka.
Muttap Reddy’s prizes included fishing equipment such as lines and hooks, along with canned fish and a sack of flour. Farouk Sahu Khan, who was the Divisional Planning Officer Western at the time, presented the awards to the winners.
The Ratu Busa Group, established in 1977, operated two 8.5-meter fishing vessels, a 7.5-meter punt powered by a 28-horsepower engine, and various fishing nets. The income from their fishing activities allowed them to construct two three-bedroom concrete houses in their village. They initiated their project with $8,300 from New Zealand Aid, contributing to part of the $9,500 required for a boat, with the remainder funded by a loan from the Fiji Development Bank.
Muttap Reddy began his fishing career in 1970, utilizing a half-cabin 7-meter by 5-meter boat equipped with a 40-horsepower outboard engine, as well as a smaller open punt and various fishing nets. He also built a two-bedroom concrete house on land he leased through his fishing revenues.
The Fisheries Department established selection criteria that evaluated fishing performance, loan repayment, and the provision of catch data for research purposes.