The Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry will host this year’s Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) 21st Annual Session.
Speaking on the 2024-2025 National Budget debate on Monday newly appointed minister Alitia Bainivalu highlighted that 550 participants from across the globe will converge in Suva to engage in considerations around the region’s tuna stocks and its development.
“A total of $744,918 has been allocated to the Offshore Fisheries Management Division to support its monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems in combatting the illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing phenomenon in Fiji’s offshore sector,” Ms Bainivalu said.
“$837,666 has been allocated for fisheries research development to support the work currently being undertaken, in terms of species identification for commercial development, region wide species stock assessments and species development along life cycles.
“In terms of technical services, $123,024 has been allocated to allow for the purchasing of technical equipment that will assist with maintenance and repair works of the ministry’s technical equipment noting that there are 23 ice plants, 32 service centres and 43 institutional quarters across the four divisions.”
For aquaculture development, Ms Bainivalu said, $1,875,866 had been allocated to cater for the provision of technical equipment to support the staff and further supplement the development of capital constructions.
