Chiefs hails lawmen in poaching battle

www.fijitimes.com - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

VIGILANCE by police officers over the qoliqoli of Macuata has resulted in a drop in poaching activities.

This has been applauded by the province's high chief, Ratu Aisea Katonivere, who described the efforts of authorities as excellent and outstanding.

Ratu Aisea said the police, the Fisheries Department and the village fishing wardens had helped fight illegal fishing activities.

He said the Macuata Qoliqoli Cokovata committee would work with the police and fisheries officials this year to rid the province of the illegal activity.

Ratu Aisea said poaching had been the committee's greatest battle in the qoliqoli area.

The committee had observed that fishermen holding licenses for the province of Bua had poached the Macuata qoliqoli.

Ratu Aisea said such activities had decreased but it wasn't a guarantee to the committee that poaching would stop.

He said this was the reason the committee had worked with the State and stakeholders to stop the poaching.

Rati Aisea said fishing wardens were equipped and their involvement had helped the police and fisheries officials.