THE Ministry of Fisheries is looking to ratify its newest campaign that regulates the size of crabs that are caught.

This was revealed by the ministry during a presentation at the National Consultation on the Awareness of Special Fisheries Management and Conservation Initiatives Including the Fisheries Voluntary Commitments towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 Workshop.

The workshop, held at the Holiday Inn Suva yesterday, got NGOs and government partners together to discuss ways in which the fisheries sector can be conserved and the goals set at the ocean conference be met.

Director for Fisheries Aisake Batibasaga said the campaign had been carried out in partnership with Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) to create awareness to the communities on the standards in place to catch crabs.

“It is just to go out and enforce the size limits to crabs. The other extension is that communities are saying their farms are being threatened,” he said.

However, in the commercial interest of these farmers and in light of the fact that crabs are in high demand locally and internationally there will be some leniency/exemption allowed at this point in time.

“We know that the price is really up at this point, but that is because the market forces are in place. But for us, our concern is that we have to see what is happening on the ground in each district and local areas that the women, the fishermen are harvesting crab. Are they doing it sustainably.

“If not, what can be done to help the stock recover or reach the size above 14cm length.”

Mr Batibasaga said this was a part of efforts to put in a better framework to protect the coastal fish resources.