600 fishermen in Labasa will benefit from the new Ice Plant Machine given to them by the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests.

The Ice Plant machine – which has the capacity to produce 1,500kg of crushed ice in 24 hours and an ice storage capacity of 3 tonnes was requested by the fishermen.

Fisheries Minister Osea Naiqamu says the fishermen will utilize the provisions of the ice to improve their fishing business through sales of well-preserved high quality fish for optimum returns.

He says the ice supply support services will not only encourage value adding to fish production but also open new fish marketing arrangements for fishermen to diversify into fishing for Deep-water fish.