LIMITED storage and unreliable transport have long forced villagers of Navatu, Kubulau, in the province of Bua to sell or consume their daily fish catch immediately, often resulting in lost income and wasted resources.
Village headman Viliame Ramesiwa said the community depended heavily on fishing for food and income.
“Previously, whenever we went out fishing, our catches had to be sold on the same day,” he said.
Mr Ramesiwa said without access to a freezer, opportunities to preserve and profit from their catch were restricted.
“At times, due to the unavailability of transport, we had to consume them, or they would go to waste.”
He made this comment after a $10,150 solar-generated freezer project was implemented to improve food storage and support livelihoods in the rural maritime community.
“The solar freezer is a weight off our shoulders in terms of generating income.”
Now, he said, they would be able to store seafood until they were ready to be sold while maintaining quality.
“We are grateful for such assistance because it benefits the whole village.”
Mr Ramesiwa said the project would benefit the entire village, with 31 households including men, women, seniors and schoolchildren set to gain from improved storage and income opportunities.
