The cultivation of Penaeid (peni-ad) prawns is one of the major focuses of the Fisheries ministry.

Fisheries minister Semi Koroilavesau says this follows the high value and demands of the food species in the tourism sector.

Koroilavesau says aquaculture plays an important role in food security and economic viability.

“Prawns or shrimps is one of the most common species in the world. It is also one of the commonly traded in hotel sector. This is why it is important that we work together to try and address one of our biggest challenge and that is to try and reduce Fiji’s import bill.”

Koroilavesau says aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector and has the potential to develop as one of the key areas in the Fisheries sector if thoroughly explored and effectively capitalized upon.

Fiji currently imports close to 700 tons of shrimp annually with an estimated value of 24 million dollars.