The Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere hopes other provinces in the country will make an effort to properly manage and protect their iqoliqoli.

The Province of Macuata has taken a lead role in the management of their fishery, with a series of marine protected areas (MPA) in it’s Iqoliqoli Cokovata and bans placed on certain fish species.

Ratu Wiliame says with the fish stock already depleting, the iqoliqoli owners took it upon themselves to do something about their resource.
Previously, the approval for the ‘tabu areas’ (MPA) came from the elders.

“When I took over the title, one of the things I wanted to do was to get the views of the users. That I think was paramount. Now, all the iqoliqoli tabu areas earmarked, came from the users, the iqoliqoli owners themselves, they came up with the areas they wanted to be tabu areas.”

The I qoliqoli Cokovata of Macuata covers an area of 2,041 square kilometres and is utilised for subsistence by 24 villages.

There is currently a ban of the camouflaged grouper fish (kasala) in this fishery.