The Ministry of Fisheries and Forests has officially ended the seasonal ban on Grouper and Coral trout (Kawakawa and Donu), which was in place until September 30. These fish species play a crucial role in coastal marine ecosystems and are considered important for both food security and income.
The seasonal ban was enacted to safeguard these species during their spawning period and to prevent overfishing, which could lead to a decline in their population and threaten the viability of the fishery.
Minister Alitia Bainivalu expressed gratitude to Fijians for their commitment and cooperation during the ban, which lasted from June 1 to September 30. She encouraged the community to continue collaborating to preserve, manage, and protect the country’s fisheries and ocean resources.
Now that the ban has been lifted, Bainivalu urged the public to practice responsible and sustainable fishing methods.