FISHERMEN living along the coast of Naduri have benefited from another business transaction with hotels in the West.
The business transaction, secured by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pacific allows, the fishermen to increase supply of fish to Outrigger Fiji and the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort.
“Therefore a three-day workshop recently held for fishermen and middlemen in the area was aimed at educating villagers on the importance of proper post-harvest fish handling practices,” the organisation said.
“This is of critical importance to the preservation of the fish.
“The post-harvest handling workshop creates a stronger platform by enabling the fishermen to supply to local hotel chains.
“Fish from Macuata through the Sustainable Seafood Program is already being supplied to Outrigger Fiji and Shangri-La.”
Meanwhile, workshop participant and fish seller Daniel Covert said the workshop was an eyeopener for vendors like him who sold fish at the Labasa Market.
Mr Covert said that fishermen would wash fish and brine them in the Labasa River which was highly polluted.
“This workshop has taught me of the importance of keeping fish in a hygienic state so that they are accepted by customers,” he said.
“At the same time we can sell fish for its real market value because the fish is prepared using standard procedures.”
Another vendor, Buaseta Vula, said the workshop had taught her the importance of preserving fish to retain their natural state.
Ms Vula said they were thankful to WWF-Pacific for establishing markets for them.
