Responsible fishing practice is vital: Lakeba

Conservation International Fiji is promoting a balanced approach to sustainable fisheries management, focusing on both preserving fishery resources and addressing the social dynamics of fishing communities.

CIF National Director Mere Lakeba says the organization aims to build responsible fishing practices in communities, ensuring economic viability while also considering the social aspects of fishing.

The CIF National Director states that responsible fishing practices in local communities go beyond ensuring the availability of fishery resources.

“It’s also an opportunity to address those who fish, which is the social aspect in terms of how we’re trying to ensure that we have responsible fishermen, that they’re also being addressed in terms of the whole concept of sustainable fisheries management.”

Lakeba highlights the importance of considering both the economic viability and social well-being of fishermen, noting that often, a strict focus on economic gains can lead to the neglect of social factors.

The Minister of Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, considers that awareness is more important than inspection.

“You know, it would be unfair if you went out and, you know, enforced, confiscated, when you know you haven’t raised enough awareness about this, about the ban on this important species of fish.”

Conservation International continues to work with communities in Fiji to implement these principles, ensuring that economic viability does not harm the stocks and also those who are involved in that specific fishing operation.