In 1984, a fishing competition culminated in the award of over $1,500 worth of prizes to the top fishing group and individual fishermen in the Western Division. The Ratu Busa group, consisting of 40 members from Yaqeta Village in Yasawa, was recognized as the leading fishing group. Muttap Reddy from Nacovi, Nadi, earned the individual accolade.
The Ratu Busa group received 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 leader of the group, Kini Jioji Rakata, also secured tickets from Fiji Air for a visit to the Pacific Fishing Company canning factory in Levuka. Meanwhile, Mr. Reddy was awarded fishing gear that included fish lines and hooks, canned fish, and a sack of flour.
The prizes were presented by Farouk Sahu Khan, the Divisional Planning Officer Western at the time. The article highlighted that the Ratu Busa group was established in 1977 and operated two 8.5-meter fishing vessels along with other equipment. Their earnings from fishing enabled them to construct two three-bedroom concrete homes in their village. They initiated their venture with $8,300 from New Zealand Aid, contributing towards a $9,500 boat, with the remaining funds financed through a loan from the Fiji Development Bank.
Mr. Reddy has been fishing since 1970 and owned various vessels, including a half-cabin boat equipped with a 40-horsepower engine. He also built a two-bedroom concrete home on land leased from the crown, funded through his fishing business.
The Fisheries Department established criteria for the awards based on fishing performance, loan repayment, and the contribution of catch data for statistical purposes.