The Fisheries Ministry cannot ensure effective enforcement of the fisheries laws on its own.

Minister Semi Koroilavesau says fisheries compliance and enforcement is challenging and there are many moving parts in an effective compliance regime.

Speaking at the second Fisheries Enforcement Forum in Suva – Koroilavesau says Fiji has a large Exclusive Economic Zone and thousands of kilometers of coastal area spread over a wide geographic area.

He says there’s a need to ensure better management of our fisheries resources.

“We should not be comfortable with the status of our fisheries. It is in critical condition now I think we as Fijians believe that we have a lot of fisheries resources. Unfortunately when we became an independent ministry in 2017 – the first thing after our review, we basically found out that we’re in distress.”

The two-day forum provides an opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and address some of the challenges in the fisheries sector; to develop solutions, and to improve collaboration and cooperation in increasing compliance.