The Ministry of Fisheries has been allocated close to 19 million dollars to run its operations.
Fisheries Minister, Semi Koroilavesau says the priority will be improving enforcement and strengthening legislation ensuring the sector is sustainable.
“Fish is a staple food, you never realise because in the increase in our population and also the access to markets, we have basically exporting fish, without really looking at the aspect of the resources itself.”
In the new budget, the transhipment levy has increased one hundred dollars to $450 a tonne boosting revenue.
Koroilavesau says this levy while an initiative of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority needs to be discussed to ascertain what effects the increase may have on the industry.
High on the agenda is the establishment of inshore and or coastal fisheries with $3.6 million allocated for the division.
