BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) continues to address the challenge of coastal fisheries management through its community-based management programme.
Speaking on the floor of parliament this week, Fisheries Minister Bradley Tovosia said that coastal fisheries management is one of the challenges for the ministry.
“Mr Speaker, sir, our greatest challenge is the sustainable management of our coastal fisheries. With the increasing population that needs daily nutrients, the pressure on our coastal fisheries is great. The Ministry continues to address this pressure by implementing its community-based resources management programme in our communities,” said Tovosia.
He said that communities establish their marine areas and create plans for managing their resources under this programme.
“We have reached over 1,000 communities through this programme,” he said.
The minister also highlights the need to enhance the country’s laws to address these challenges.
“Mr Speaker, sir, the sustainable management of our fisheries cannot be achieved without the effective enforcement of our laws. We take this seriously. However, compliance work requires significant investment and support,” said Tovosia.
He said that the ministry’s work plan for this year will include the review and aim to amend the Fisheries Management Act 2025 and a review of coastal and seashore fisheries regulations.
“Review, monitoring, control and surveillance and other related policies will allow for the effective enforcement of our law,” he said.
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