The Minister for Fisheries and Forest Osea Naiqamu told Parliament yesterday that a lot of work has been done in recent years to protect fish stocks, especially Tuna which is highly lucrative and in danger of being over-fished.

Naiqamu says his Ministry uses modern technology to track fishing boats in the region and this is also used to stop illegal and unregulated fishing.

“The department of fisheries have passed and implemented the offshore fisheries management decree of 2012 and the offshore fisheries management regulation these are two very important tools against over fishing.”

He says these laws are relied to ensure that fish stocks are sustainably managed.

Naiqamu adds Fiji has been able to attain a green card status from the European Union due to efforts in managing the commercial fisheries sector.

The Ministry’s manpower has also been beefed up in order to keep an eye on fishing companies.

Naiqamu told parliament that Fiji is also leading regional efforts to ensure fish stocks remain sustainable in the long term.