Minister for Fisheries and Forest Osea Naiqamu is urging fisheries scientist, managers and Coral Reef Fisheries experts from around Fiji to continue the advocacy on the importance of maintaining healthy and productive coastal fisheries resources.

While speaking to participants at the Coastal Fisheries and Invertebrate Resources Workshop this morning, Naiqamu highlighted that Fiji’s coastal fishery contributes enormously to the nations’ economic well being.

Naiqamu says the workshop will help the Fisheries department in the ministry to look at ways to improve Coastal Fisheries management in the country.

“The workshop is to involve all the stakeholders to assist the ministry in collecting all the data in regards to inshore fisheries, the main issue is to put in place a sustainable management plan for our fisheries resources.”

Currently 27,000 tonnes of fresh fish are caught locally from coastal fishing.

The Fisheries department is working with different stakeholders to further enhance the development of coastal resources.