The Ministry of Environment and Waterways will closely work with the Fisheries Ministry to phase out junks of refrigeration, cooling equipment and ice plants in various communities.

Permanent Secretary Joshua Wycliffe says this an obligation to be taken by countries including Fiji who have signed the Montreal Protocol.

Wycliffe says the protocol aims to reduce the amount of unwanted greenhouse gases being exhaled into the atmosphere.

“So in phasing out, what we have done we are partnering with the Fisheries we are working closely with the fisheries to identify both the fishing vessels, we working with the fishing association, identify fishing vessels – it’s part of the 32 year anniversary we are doing a demo project a pilot program of identifying few vessels, retrofitting with the phase out chemicals”.

The environment ministry is currently finalizing the funding process from two donor agencies that will fund the project.

He says the ministry will carry out thorough awareness to members of the communities before the implementation phase.

The project is expected to start early next year.